Glossary > Privacy > Internet And Digital Privacy > Social Media Privacy

Shadow Profiles

Shadow profiles refer to the collection and storage of data about individuals who may not have willingly provided that information. This data is often gathered through various sources, creating a profile for a person without their explicit consent or knowledge.

Example #1

An example of a shadow profile is when a social media platform gathers information about a user's contacts from their device's address book without the user's permission. This creates a profile for those contacts, even if they are not users of the platform.

Example #2

Another example is when an online retailer tracks a user's browsing activity across different websites to create a profile of their interests and behavior, even if the user has not directly interacted with that retailer.

Misuse

Misuse of shadow profiles can lead to invasive targeting of individuals with personalized ads, manipulation of opinions, and potential breaches of privacy. It is important to protect against this misuse to safeguard individuals' data privacy and prevent exploitation.

Benefits

An example of a potential benefit of shadow profiles is when a social platform uses the data to suggest relevant connections or content to users, enhancing their experience without requiring them to manually input all the information themselves.

Conclusion

It is crucial to address the ethical implications of shadow profiles to ensure consumer privacy and data protection. Transparency, consent, and control over personal information are essential to uphold fairness and integrity in the digital landscape.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024