Social media and networking sites have grown astronomically in recent years thanks in large part to the ability of websites to utilize free cloud storage. These networks rely on cloud storage to connect millions of users in a way never before done. In fact, this segment of the Internet has grown so rapidly that laws regulating the industry have been unable to keep pace with ongoing developments.
As a result, litigation and criminal suits often capture data in free cloud storage servers that have little or nothing to do with the issue at hand. This often opens millions of users up to invasions of privacy; recent court cases have repeatedly upheld that unless the data is relevant to the case, it cannot be used in court proceedings. However, the courts have also maintained that if one of the involved parties can show a valid reason why such data is relevant, it can be used.
Hence, whereas most social networking participants are not aware that the information they have submitted to the site and saved on their free cloud storage devices is potentially open to future exposure, the threat is very real. In fact, even with so-called “reputable” companies, this issue of data placed in remote free cloud storage remains; this is because many companies, in an effort to cut costs, often utilize the servers of third parties. These third parties could become embroiled in litigation or criminal proceedings that compromise data from people who had no direct connections to the sites targeted.
Where to go from here and what to do about the issue of privacy of data placed in free cloud storage is an issue that is sure to gain attention and momentum in years to come, especially given the rapid growth of social media networks using free cloud storage. It is amazing how things work nowadays.
