12 things you might want to delete from Facebook to protect your privacy
Facebook is one of the most powerful social media platforms - but there are certain key things you shouldn't be putting online
BOASTING billions of users, Facebook is one of the most powerful platforms in the world - but the Cambridge Analytica scandal has called into question the security of the information we share online.
From boarding passes to birthdays and credit card details to phone numbers, here are 12 things you should consider deleting to keep your private life private, according to .
Your birthday
While it may be tempting to keep your date of birth accessible for annual birthday wishes, the date actually forms one part of a puzzle alongside your name and address which can allow people to access your bank account and personal details.
Your phone number
It could be a really easy way for friends to look you up, or lead to unwanted calls and contact from complete strangers.
Credit card details
Whether it's the name on the card, the number, the security number, date of expiry or even the associated account number it's always best to keep information regarding your bank account, cards and finances off social media.
Your relationship status
It's great to tell friends about your new relationship, but hard to say it's over - and even harder to remove your relationship status from social media without attracting unwanted comments to add to your heartbreak.
So-called friends
According to psychology professor Rosie Dunbar, found that out of their friends, 4.1 were dependable while 13.6 showed sympathy during times of an "emotional crisis".
As such, it may be more beneficial to cut out the Facebook "friends" who are not actually real life friends.
Photographs of young children and family members
In the digital age, there's very little that can be deleted from the internet - so ask yourself if your child or young family member would appreciate seeing their toddler snaps online when they grow up.
And where they go to school
Giving access to your child's location or the location of a minor to strangers online is dangerous as you might be giving the information to possible predators.
The that across the 2016-2017 period, there has been an increase in police-recorded child sexual offences and indecent image offences, with the rate of recorded sexual offences across the UK has doubling since 2005 to 2006, with 2015 to 2016 seeing the highest number of offences in the past decade.
Your boss
While you might get along famously with your boss in the office, it's a completely different matter to allow them be privy to personal aspects of your life - including the status complaining about work.
Location services
Location services are available through Android and iPhones, and allow the app to track your whereabouts through your mobile phone.
It that over 500 million Facebook users accessed the platform through their phone alone - meaning the same number of people are able to broadcast their precise location online and possibly allowing anyone to know where they are.
Tagging your location
Likewise, by tagging your location at home, at work or at any other locations personal to you, you're actually disclosing those addresses online - something to consider before checking in from "the couch" or "the office".
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Your holiday antics
Although tempting, it's not a great idea to post a countdown to your holiday or any reference to dates you might be away from your home on social media.
According to , if you inform Facebook friends that you're going away on holiday you could risk your insurance claim being rejected if your home is burgled.
Boarding pass snaps
A snap of your boarding pass and passport might seem a great way to subtly brag about your holiday but each barcode on a boarding pass is unique to each passenger and contains information you gave to the airline.
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