 "Photo: dave hochanadel")
Despite the social networking popularity of Facebook.com and other similar sites, college students should be wary of the types of information they post online.
Stated in the privacy policy of Facebook.com, one of the most popular college-orientated site on the Internet, is a disclaimer that tells students that the personal information they post online can be used and sold by Facebook.com to various third parties that are involved with the Web site in a business sense.
According to Facebook.com, the third parties include "responsible companies with which we have a relationship," and including service providers, e-mail solicitations and "any companies, lawyers, agents or government agencies."
While not illegal, some students feel that this type of marketing isn't right.
"The whole point of the site is to network with friends," said Amal Dudar, a sophomore majoring in biology. "They shouldn't be giving out personal information to marketers."
However, for those that are regular users, the experience of Facebook.com is worth the price of a few junk e-mails.
When told that the Web site is allowed to solicit user data, Jawad Khan, a sophomore majoring in English, was surprised but unconcerned.
"I'll still use [Facebook] despite the marketing," Khan said.
The most common problems surrounding Facebook.com for UT students seem to stem from slanderous remarks posted online.
"People will write things on their [personal Web] pages about other people that isn't truthful," said Jill Goldberg, community affairs officer for the UTPD. "Other people post explicit or lewd information and photos."
Goldberg added that harassment doesn't typically come from unknown individuals.
"Often, the parties know one another and have issues with each other, often boy-girl related," Goldberg said. "Most students with issues come in and file complaints through police reports, which are then sent to the prosecutor to file charges."
While UTPD doesn't scour Facebook.com for infractions and misdoings, Goldberg stressed that the UTPD does have students who bring in items printed from the Web site.
"We don't get on Facebook to look for parties," said UTPD Chief of Police John Dauer. "The complaints we receive about parties come from the neighbors."
"There's a lot of people that write lies about other people," Goldberg said. "Think about what your mom and your grandmother could read about you if they went online. Who knows who is reading through your information?"
Chris Hughes, spokesperson for Facebook.com, could not be reached for comment.
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