A read through most online privacy policies is enough to make your stomach acid curdle. And social media companies have more access to personal data than most.
Some collect information you expressly give them, like your credit card and telephone numbers. Others gather data based on how and where you use their services. This might include anything from device and browser information to location intel. And some of it gets really specific -- think about your last search query or ad click. It's probably all "fair" game.
Depending on the type gathered, social networks use data to enhance location services and target advertising (now you know why that sunglasses website you visited three months ago follows you all over the web). A few social sites even share certain information with marketers and/or third-party partners -- in that case, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with those other companies' policies as they apply to you and your information.
The infographic below, created for Baynote, explains why your web browsing and online interactions have become much more personalized. Are you comfortable with a highly customized experience, knowing it's your data that's making the difference?
