Social Media Terms of Service
Social media terms of service, also known as terms and conditions, are typically extremely lengthy contracts in the tiny fonts that we tend to skip over as quickly as possible. However, those sneaky paragraphs we often skim past to get to the end of the page hold valuable information. Needless to say, privacy policy contracts are lengthy, and although everyone should read them, rarely does anybody.
With an abundance of social media platforms and their corresponding apps, it’s quite difficult to get through all of the terms of service in one session. We get it; we don’t want to read long and confusing legal documents either. That is why we’re here to shed some light on social media terms of service.
Understand What You Are Signing
So, what is hidden in those extensive paragraphs?
When agreeing to a social media platform's terms and conditions, you are confirming the terms of their license. Mind you; this license is legally binding and quite serious in that it protects whatever you are signing up for. Contracts generally require an offer and consent. This means that the user must signal their compliance by clicking acceptance of the terms or providing a digital signature. Other social media platforms imply consent by the use of the platform, with the terms of service, or terms and conditions, provided in a link often found near the bottom of a platform's homepage.
One of the important terms to look out for is the intent for which a license is permitted. This may be specified as “for the sole purpose of promoting the website,” or a purpose may not be specified at all. It is worth knowing whether the purpose of a given license includes commercial use of copyright-protected work.
Understanding Your Privacy Rights
Although terms of service contracts may be a bit confusing and hard to digest, it is essential to know that any changes to the social media platform's terms of service must be easy to understand for its users. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has enforced actions against Google and Facebook for "unfair and deceptive" practices in how these giant companies provided their users notice on how their personal data are handled on a daily basis. This means you can relax knowing that the FTC has your back.
However, don’t get too excited just yet. Courts have yet to assign any value to privacy rights. However, recent legislative changes are quickly shifting the conduct of social media platforms. While Europe's General Data Protection Regulation does not directly impact privacy protection for people in the United States, it has inspired the state of California to take some action. The requirements that mirror some of Europe's changes include – clear notice and consent requirements for the use of personal data, along with restrictions on how the personal data of social media platform users are handled.
So, what's the deal with TikTok?
TikTok has been in the news recently for its fine print within its terms of service that nobody reads.
Here is a snippet from their privacy policy for your reference:
Device Information
We collect certain information about the device you use to access the Platform, such as your IP address, user agent, mobile carrier, time zone settings, identifiers for advertising purposes, model of your device, the device system, network type, device IDs, your screen resolution and operating system, app and file names and types, keystroke patterns or rhythms, battery state, audio settings, and connected audio devices. Where you log in from multiple devices, we will be able to use your profile information to identify your activity across devices. We may also associate you with information collected from devices other than those you use to log in to the Platform.
In short, the concern with TikTok is legitimate, and it would be a good idea to look through their privacy policy fully during your downtime. Better yet, give us a call and ask us about true mobile security for your devices.
Can TikTok access your camera even if the app is closed?
Although this still remains under debate, we are now aware that TikTok has full access to the audio, video, and address book on any given device while the app is open. While it isn’t surprising since TikTok is an audio-visual application, what is rather shocking is the GPS tracking mentioned in their privacy policy. This is especially surprising because TikTok videos don’t inherently display location information for other users to see. In conclusion, TikTok should be treated with caution, just like any other social media platform. Always remember that whatever you record will be seen by others whether you like it or not.
Protect Your Rights and Intellectual Property
Social media has become a much-integrated part of both our personal and professional lives. Learning how to stay safe while posting on social media is especially important with the increasing amount of integrated payment systems, apps, phone verification, and touchless technology. Here are some best practices to stay safe while using your favorite social applications.
- Adjust your privacy settings.
- Be cautious of sharing too much personal information.
- Verify who you are connecting with.
- Use strong passwords (mix these up for each of your social media accounts).
- Click links with caution.
- Become familiar with the privacy policies of the social media platforms you use on daily basis.
Here at Intuitive Networks, we're not just all about IT services - Contact us today and get real IT support from industry experts.
What Is An MSP?
Do you feel like you're constantly playing catch-up when it comes to IT support? You're not alone. Business owners are often overwhelmed with the number of options and technologies available today. But what if there was a way to simplify things for you?
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a great option for business owners who want to outsource their IT needs. In this blog post, we'll discuss what a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is and how it can help your business be safe so it can grow effectively. Think of it as an easy button for your tech business needs.
What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?
A managed service provider (MSP) is a type of IT service provider that delivers network, application, system, and security services on a subscription basis. MSPs are usually multi-service providers, offering a range of services such as 24/7 monitoring, help desk support, data backup, and disaster recovery. They can be used to supplement in-house IT staff or to completely outsource IT functions. MSPs typically use a remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform to deliver their services.
What can an MSP do for you?
An MSP can help you with a number of different tasks related to your business's IT infrastructure and support your remote employees. They can manage your entire IT infrastructure or just specific parts of it such as your network, security, data backup, or help desk. Managed service providers can also provide you with access to their IT experts, who can advise you on the best way to use technology to improve your business.
They can be a cost-effective way to manage your IT infrastructure, as MSPs can often provide services at a lower cost than if you were to do it yourself -- evidentially freeing up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your business.
What are the common types of Managed Service Providers out there?
While MSPs can offer a wide range of IT/security services, they are typically classified into a few main categories:
Network MSPs: Network MSPs provide network-related services such as network design, installation, monitoring, and maintenance.
Security MSPs: Security MSPs provide security-related services such as malware protection, intrusion detection and prevention, firewalls, and web filtering.
Data MSPs: Data backup MSPs provide data backup and disaster recovery services. This can include on-site backups, off-site backups, and cloud backups.
Time and Material MSPS: Time and material MSP is for one-off IT projects that may be needed throughout the course of your business ownership. Whether that be setting up computers or dealing with a catastrophe.
Help Desk MSPs: Help Desk MSPs provide help desk support services. This can include 24/7 support, email and chat support, and phone support.
Remote Work MSPs: Remote Work MSPs allow for remote support within your business and can help your employees fix software-related issues.
How can Intuitive Networks MSPs help?
Here at Intuitive Networks, we offer some state-of-the-art MSP tools to ensure you have the most seamless outsourced experience for your business:
Managed IT Services
Server and Network Management: We take care of monitoring your systems and keeping them up-to-date, so you can focus on running your business. And in the event of an outage, we're there to help you get back up and running as quickly as possible. So you can rest assured that your business is in good hands.
Remote IT Monitoring and Maintenance: With assistance from our experts just a phone call away, we can provide quick resolutions to your computer troubles. We'll keep your drivers and software updated, manage your licenses and integrate them with your current equipment. Plus, we'll keep a watchful eye on your devices to prevent downtime from occurring in the first place.
IT Help Desk Support: With our IT help desk support, you can easily get in touch with a technician who can help you sort out the problem. We'll work together to find a solution quickly, and we'll also keep an eye on your infrastructure so we can prevent issues from popping up in the first place.
Email Support: Without proper management, your inbox can quickly become cluttered with spam and phishing emails. These unwanted messages not only take up valuable time but can also pose a serious security threat to your business. As a trusted IT managed service provider, we thoroughly examine devices and systems connected to your email service. Our email performance monitoring and content filtering helps to proactively identify and block spam and phishing emails before they reach your inbox!
Managed Security Services
Security As a Service: Our team of expert technicians will work with you to assess your specific needs and design a customized security solution that includes authentication, antivirus and anti-malware, SIEM, and more. By outsourcing your security tasks to us, you can focus on running your business without having to worry about the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
Data Backup and Recovery: Data backup and recovery services are necessary for peace of mind when it comes to your company's data. Our professionals will help you back up regularly, so there is no need to worry about losing any important information ever again!
Endpoint Protection: We offer an innovative multi-layered security solution that blocks malware while giving you peace of mind knowing endpoints will be safe from phishing attempts or other online threats for good.
Computer and Network Security: Antivirus software for your business isn't enough; our approach takes into consideration all of the other important areas. Such as monitoring 24/7 for malicious activity (and training employees on how best to protect themselves) and updating hardware as necessary so it remains protected against future malware attacks.
Final Thoughts
If you're thinking about using an MSP, it's important to do your research and choose a reputable provider. MSPs vary in terms of the services they offer and the pricing structures they use, so it's important to find one that matches your needs. They can be a great way to offload some of your IT tasks and free up time for other parts of your business. If you're considering using an MSP, reach out to our team of IT experts at Intuitive Networks today so they can guide you on the best match for your business.