Social media users often believe granular privacy controls will protect their information. Privacy, however, involves more than simply concealing personal information from others. It’s about being aware of when and what to post – and who’s got access to that information. Here’s über-tweeter Kathleen Versteegt on how to protect yourself.

• Unless you’re at a Twitter party at a public place or something similar, do not “cross post” to other social media platforms even if that option is available. Keep your posts to one medium: doing this allows you to control who may be looking at your information. Even then, someone in your Friends list can disclose it using a more public medium, so be vigilant.
• On Foursquare, unless you’re with people you trust, check in “late” – meaning after you’ve been to an event and have left for at least a half hour.
• As with everything online, what you post to Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ can become public information (if it isn’t already). Even with a number of “locks” or “Friends list” privacy settings, if it’s online, consider it public information. It’s possible that someone may leak it or make it public by accident.

Our expert

Kathleen Versteegt, a principal at Papertree Creative, was among the top 10 most active Edmonton tweeters last year. This three-time NAIT grad (Graphic Communications ’06, Computer Systems Technology ’08, Digital Media Design ’10) and current Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management student can be found on Twitter @guitarkat.