Op-Ed: Social Networking Carries Travel Venting And Privacy Risks
Exchanging information and ideas has never been easier or faster. There is a lot of narcissism on the Web. It's fashionable, if not irresistible, to go public on travel experiences. Social networking can add richer content to assist in travel logistics, but there are some as yet undefined risks for commenters, commentees and companies.
Facebook has had the fastest growth of any networking media. Started in 2004 and opened to the general public in 2006, Facebook grew exponentially to a base of 200 million users. The fastest increase is among users 35 years old and older, surprisingly. Its estimated market capital is over $1 billion.
Behind this growth is a risk to privacy. Yet Facebook promises not to misuse your data.
If privacy settings are set too low, friends of a traveler's Facebook friends outside the company could be able to see potentially sensitive information.
No U.S. law, rule or regulation now protects personal or travel-related data. Companies have no inherent, legally protected right to protection of their travel data. Only banks are restrained about releasing or transferring financial data to third parties. Government employees are protected, but no one in the private sector. Far greater protections exist outside the United States, especially in Europe, where employee travelers own all their data and misuse is subject to strict control and penalties.
In the United States, protection of company data is limited to contractual guarantees. Largely, it is protection of personal data. However, possession by third parties of data by or about travelers, travel patterns or company discounts enables them to argue the old "possession is nine-tenths of the law" contention of ownership.
There has always been a risk of misuse by internal employees of companies that process or store data. This expands significantly if sensitive travel information is transferred to Internet social networks, such as Facebook and their many thousands of application providers. Facebook offers 25,000 applications and growing. Each provider gets data and access.
Even within its intended uses within a company, scuttlebutt undermines policy compliance. One company fired an employee using Facebook to criticize management, especially as this became public around the industry.
How can you achieve the value of social networking exchanges of information, travel tips and other benefits shared by travelers while minimizing the risk?
Use of a firewalled internal Web site is the safest technique, however, comments need to be monitored carefully to respond quickly to any issues identified or the site could actually undermine expense control or policy. Even these tools need careful design and use not to undermine expense control or policy. Best practices quickly erode if there is too much grousing through interactive exchanges. Hallway and lunchroom talking around policies has always been around.
Gossip is faster and more widespread through Web networking. On the other hand, if properly and tightly controlled internally by the company, the value of the feedback for program adjustment would outweigh such risks.
All companies need to be careful about outside exchanges concerning competitive information and supplier discount programs.
Social networking is here to stay but privacy concerns and techniques to control company travel data and protect policy observance need continuous attention. Facebook is a very innovative and useful social networking platform.
The risks of misuse to companies and travelers need to be addressed and resolved through policy, communications and training and a realistic balance between value-oriented quick feedback and protection against misuse by third and fourth parties.