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Social Networks

Sites like Facebook and Twitter provide users with a place to share personal information with friends family and the public — an activity that's proven to be hugely compelling to Internet users. In response to the demand technology is evolving to encourage the disclosure of information that was formerly discreet (like location) and to enable the sharing of information even when not sitting in front of a traditional computer (like from mobile phones). But it doesn't take much forethought to realize that there are countless privacy pitfalls in a world where a near-endless stream of personal bits is indiscriminately posted indefinitely stored and quietly collected and analyzed by marketers, identity thieves, and professional government snoops in America and abroad. The public controversies that have erupted to date — Facebook's drastic terms of service changes and Google Buzz's forced sharing of email contacts — are only the first snares in a rapidly growing thicket of social networking privacy issues. Here are some of the ways EFF is working to protect your privacy as the use of social networks grows: ●EFF has gone toe-to-toe with the government to uncover hidden details about how they use social networking sites for investigations data collection and surveillance. ●EFF works to expose issues with social networks as soon as they emerge from the leaking of information to advertisers or the policies of the sites themselves. ●EFF helps savvy users better understand how to strengthen their privacy online and opt out of information sharing.

Protect digital privacy and free expression. EFF's public interest legal work, activism, and software development preserve fundamental rights. Protect digital privacy and free expression. EFF's public interest legal work, activism, and software development preserve fundamental rights. DONATE TO EFF

EFF Related Content: Social Networks

Deeplinks Blog byDavid Greene | July 15, 2025

Despite Supreme Court Setback, EFF Fights On Against Online Age Mandates

We and the others fighting online age restrictions still have our work cut out for us. The momentum to widely adopt and normalize online age restrictions is strong. But Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton did not approve of age gates when they are imposed on speech that adults and minors... ●Read more about Despite Supreme Court Setback, EFF Fights On Against Online Age Mandates

Deeplinks Blog byAaron Mackey, Lisa Femia, Jason Kelley | June 27, 2025

Today's Supreme Court Decision on Age Verification Tramples Free Speech and Undermines Privacy

●Español Today’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton is a direct blow to the free speech rights of adults. This ruling allows states to enact onerous age-verification rules that will block adults from accessing lawful speech, curtail their ability to be anonymous, and jeopardize their data security and privacy. ●Read more about Today's Supreme Court Decision on Age Verification Tramples Free Speech and Undermines Privacy

The words "EFFecting Change" on black background with red,white,& grey ribbons with panelist photos

Deeplinks Blog byMelissa Srago | March 13, 2025

EFFecting Change: Is There Hope for Social Media?

Please join EFF for the next segment of EFFecting Change, our livestream series covering digital privacy and free speech. Join our panel featuring EFF Civil Liberties Director David Greene, EFF Director for International Freedom of Expression Jillian York, Mastodon's Felix Hlatky, Bluesky's Emily Liu, and Spill's Kenya Parham as they... ●Read more about EFFecting Change: Is There Hope for Social Media?

Security camera screens display logos for Facebook, YouTube, SnapChat, Twitter, and Reddit

Deeplinks Blog byThorin Klosowski, Matthew Guariglia | February 12, 2025

When Platforms and the Government Unite, Remember What’s Private and What Isn’t

For years now, there has been some concern about the coziness between technology companies and the government. Whether a company complies with casual government requests for data, requires a warrant, or even fights overly-broad warrants has been a canary in the digital coal mine during an era where companies... ●Read more about When Platforms and the Government Unite, Remember What’s Private and What Isn’t

European Union Flag with Circuit Board Background

Deeplinks Blog byKaren Gullo | February 4, 2025

European Commission Gets Dinged for Unlawful Data Transfer, Sending a Big Message About Accountability

The European Commission was caught failing to comply with its own data protection regulations and, in a first, ordered to pay damages to a user for the violation. The €400 ($415) award may be tiny compared to fines levied against Big Tech by European authorities, but it’s still... ●Read more about European Commission Gets Dinged for Unlawful Data Transfer, Sending a Big Message About Accountability

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