Beware, the new “it” social media platform, BeReal may not be as safe and authentic as we believe it to be. Just like Jesse Miller, our guest speaker for this week spoke about with Snapchat, BeReal’s privacy policy may not be as safe as it seems. So, my question is, how can we trust apps to not collect data? Are there ways that we can navigate our way through social media platforms without all this data being collected? Or is it inevitable if we’re choosing to use these social media platforms?
BeReal is a new social media platform that has taken over the world. It’s an app that allows the user two minutes to “capture the moment”, taking a picture on both the front and back camera so people can see what you look like and where you are. It’s an app designed to push aside filtered, “perfect” posts that are often seen on Instagram and Facebook, and instead put forward real moments of peoples lives.
While I knew Snapchat collected some form of data, I didn’t realize the extent of it. Jesse explained that there’s two parts to Snapchat; the product user vs the byproduct. Us as users, get to use this fun app that holds many filters, games and communication source. The byproduct is the collection of data – of our location, our background, any information. Picking up team logos on our clothing, pin pointing locations, tracking data of our phone usage, you name it. I wanted to investigate BeReal’s privacy policy, because to be honest, it’s not much different than Snapchat. BeReal has access to our location, it gets front AND back camera which allows for an even bigger insight into our surroundings. Because of the nature of the app with its authenticity and base message of “being in the moment”, the app ultimately can see the “real” life people are living.
Looking at both Snapchat and BeReal privacy policy pages, they both provide similar, if not identical writings about privacy and data collection. If that is the case, does that mean that BeReal also collect data to the degree that Snapchat does?
I also wonder, do the random times that the notification for BeReal goes off actually have a pattern to it? Is it trying to find patterns in people’s lives, and use that information for other things? While I have a lot of fun with social media, there’s obviously so much to remember in terms of safety. The internet can be both a wonderful and detrimental place, and we all should learn to use it in a safe, responsible way.
