Have you ever wondered how social media companies like Facebook make money? Today, the Guru of Geek Marlo Anderson and Tech Geezer Jim Walsh discuss why people should be concerned about the data found in your social media accounts.

Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple, made a big move to get away from Facebook. His biggest reason was Facebook wasn’t forthcoming in notifying users their data was being sold. Wozniak told USA Today “Users provide every detail of their life to Facebook and … Facebook makes a lot of advertising money off this. The profits are based on the user’s info, but the users get none of the profits back.”

Somewhere in the fine print of signing up for Facebook is a clause stating your personal information will be shared and sold to a third-party. If you clicked “agree” you should have known what was happening. Except no one really read the fine print. Who would have assumed the free Facebook service wasn’t actually free.

Most people don’t give a second thought about agreeing to the terms and conditions of using apps on Facebook. Why would you? It’s fun to see who you were in your past life. Unfortunatley, each time an app is used, the data of your personal profile provides app creators information about you.

People are are ignorant of the fact that there is an exchange for using the apps. App usage is all about gathering data to sell to other companies. We see this in the news today concerning politics. One could argue Facebook was the defining piece that won the election. People shouldn’t be surprised about what has happened. You are the product. If you don’t like the outcome, stop agreeing to use apps on social media.

TidBits

Alexa can now broadcast voice to every echo your house. You can call the kids to dinner. You can use Alexa to get the attention of household members in a different location in the house. No more screaming “Dinner is ready”. Sync Alexa to your smartphone to account and make phone calls. The Guru of Geek praises Alexa as the best device ever used for conferencing.

Curious Gadgets & Gizmos:

* Driverless rideshare services;

* Hyperloop test faze;

* Elon Musk and The Boring Company;

* Huddy;

* Driving glasses; and

* Glow Bowl.

Is Big Brother Watching Thru Smart Devices?

If you would like the “Guru of Geek” to do a product review and have it featured on The Tech Ranch, let us know! Leave us a comment on this episode or call 701-204-6674 for more information.

Join the “Guru of Geek” Marlo Anderson and “Tech Geezer” Jim Walsh every week for a new episode of the Tech Ranch.

Broadcast Date April 9, 2018 Episode 312