I don’t use social media that much, so I thought it’d be interesting to see what Instagram knew about me even though I scroll through it about once every two weeks and rarely post anything.
In the back of my mind, I knew that they kept files of everything I posted, commented and liked, but it was a bit creepy to see literally every single thing I’ve ever commented and liked in a text file. It was also unsettling to see so many folders of information, when again, in my mind, I haven’t really used the app and therefore, haven’t given Instagram a lot to know about me.
The worst part was the giant text file of direct messages I’d sent and received on the app. Again, I knew that all these messages were saved forever, but it was not fun to see every single one in a huge text file. I think seeing all my thoughts and comments was worse than seeing all the photos I’d sent or posted, since those are easier to remember and because it’s more expected from IG, a photo sharing app. The fact that it has multiple files full of every comment and DM I’ve sent and received was too much.
I knew that all social media platforms’ primary incentives are economical. However, doing this activity and reading about surveillance capitalism really drilled it into my head. All social media platforms rely on using data they’ve collected to predict users’ behaviors to better cater advertisements to them and therefore generate more revenue and get more companies to pay for Instagram to advertise their products.
As a photographer, I’m kind of forced to use Instagram to promote myself and my work. I think of it as a platform in which I’m in control of everything. It’s scary to think that it took me having to download all this data to fully realize that no matter what, Instagram is a business first. I’m now conscious about the fact that every movement I make on it is essentially me helping a business convince me to buy something.
As far as any questions we as a society need to address to account for this massive store of data, I think it all goes back to what our values are. It was weird and creepy to see all the information that an app I try not to use often has about me, and it after the initial shock, it made me a bit sad. There’s the cliche point about technology being a way to connect us as well as a primary driver in keeping people apart, but this activity made the latter evident. Even though I’m trying to use the app and all social media to stay connected with and learn about others, I’m still giving a lot of my time, emotions and thoughts to an app that’s using it all against me, in a way.
Overall, I think the most important takeaway from all this is that everything is a business and no matter how harmless a like or comment seems, it all goes into this data file that in turn, is used to scam you into buying something you most likely don’t need. This post and activity just made me more conscious of all this.
The Web's Not Dead 