Social networks gobble up your time like a hungry duck, while also taking all your thoughts, your photos, your insights, and your personal information, and selling it. That’s disgusting, isn’t it? It’s not just what you and I write either, it’s people, places and companies we mention, which means you get targeted by association too.
And it’s not just on social media sites and apps. All those like buttons are trackers, and some invisible little pixels hidden in code, add to the mix. Just about every tech company stalk you across the web, building shadow profiles, to maximize profits. Think on that the next time you open your Gmail and share your innermost thoughts with a loved one.
Not all services has the ability, or indeed the wish, to track you, but they can be unnecessary anyway. So in an effort to reduce digital clutter, I’m quitting the following services.
- Facebook (for private use)
- Messenger (for private use)
- Goodreads
- Tinder (duh…)
- EyeEm
- Flickr (forgot I was still on there)
- Tumblr
- Dribble
- Slack (for private use)
I’m keeping the following, but switching to a more syndicated, I’ll answer if you poke me kind of model. Which you could argue I already have, depending on my mood.
I wish quitting meant deleting my accounts and wiping all traces, but alas, I need some of them for work. That doesn’t mean I need to maintain my personal life and/or professional persona there for all to see, or even reply for that matter.
Email is still the most intimate social network.