To my friends having babies this is for you…
One of the most valuable things for a malicious cyber actor to obtain is personally identifiable information for a newborn. It is understandable to be excited and want to share this incredible achievement with the world. And you may be thinking, oh it’s just friends and family on my [insert social platform here].
However, open your mind to these things:
- A standard baby announcement post may contain…full name, date of birth, time of birth, parents, weight, and maybe other information like height, location, etc.
- Every person on the Internet has a digital footprint or identity. The moment you begin posting for or about your child that identity is established PUBLIC information.
Now knowing those two things, think…will you remember in 18 years what you have divulged about your child? Probably not. So why does that matter? When that information is stored and collected, then matures it becomes more valuable. Meaning information stored today grows interest over time. Think compound interest $$$.
Also, you had an opportunity to establish your digital identity (since all these social outlets are new for our generations). Why not give your child that option as well? What you see as a cute picture today, may be interpreted in so many ways in the future.
So just stop it. All the posts with names, place time of birth. Stop.