social-media-platforms-guide

Privacy Features Comparison

This comparison examines the privacy features, data practices, and control options across different social media platforms to help you make informed decisions about where and how you share information online.

Account Privacy Controls

Platform Private Account Option Content Visibility Controls Audience Restriction Blocking Capabilities Notes
Bluesky Limited Can control who can reply to posts No private mode Block users Decentralized architecture affects privacy
Facebook Yes Granular post-level privacy Friend lists, groups Block, restrict, unfollow Complex but comprehensive controls
GitHub Yes (paid) Public/private repositories Organization permissions Block users Code-focused with different privacy concerns
Instagram Yes Close Friends for Stories Restrict accounts Block, restrict, mute Strong private account option
LinkedIn Yes Granular connection visibility Control who sees activity Block and restrict Professional focus affects privacy needs
Mastodon Yes (instance-dependent) Post visibility options Follower-only content Block, mute, filter Instance-based privacy varies
Pinterest Limited Secret boards option Board-specific controls Block users Content-focused rather than account-focused
Reddit No (accounts only) Can hide post history Private communities Block users Pseudonymity rather than privacy
Snapchat Yes (by design) Custom friend lists Private Stories Block users Ephemeral design enhances privacy
Telegram Yes Secret chats with E2E encryption Group/channel controls Block users Strong privacy features available
TikTok Yes Friends-only option Comment filtering Block, restrict Growing but still limited controls
Twitch No Subscriber-only chat Follower-only mode Block, ban, timeout Public broadcast with chat controls
VK Yes Granular privacy settings Friend lists Block users Similar to Facebook but different defaults
X (formerly Twitter) Yes Can limit who replies to posts Protected posts option Block and mute users Can limit who can tag you
YouTube Limited Unlisted and private videos Comment controls Block users Channel rather than account privacy

Data Collection & Usage

Platform Data Collected Advertising Model Third-Party Sharing Data Retention User Control Options
Bluesky Moderate Limited advertising Limited Data portable by design Decentralized offers more control
Facebook Extensive Highly targeted ads API access, partners Indefinite unless deleted Limited opt-outs available
GitHub Moderate Limited advertising Microsoft ecosystem Repository data permanent unless deleted More control over visible data
Instagram Extensive Highly targeted ads Meta ecosystem, partners Indefinite unless deleted Limited opt-outs available
LinkedIn Extensive Targeted professional ads Microsoft ecosystem, partners Indefinite unless deleted Some opt-out options
Mastodon Minimal No advertising Instance-dependent Instance-dependent High control due to federation
Pinterest Moderate Interest-based ads Partners, advertisers Indefinite unless deleted Some opt-out options
Reddit Moderate Interest-based ads Limited API access Indefinite unless deleted Some opt-out options
Snapchat Extensive Targeted ads Partners, advertisers Ephemeral by design for content Limited opt-out options
Telegram Limited No ads in chats Limited Cloud-based unless using Secret Chats Strong privacy options available
TikTok Very extensive Highly targeted ads Partners, possibly government Indefinite unless deleted Limited opt-out options
Twitch Moderate Targeted ads Amazon ecosystem Broadcast recordings saved if enabled Limited opt-out options
VK Extensive Targeted ads Partners, government access Indefinite unless deleted Limited opt-out options
X (formerly Twitter) Extensive Targeted ads API access, partners Indefinite unless deleted Limited opt-outs available
YouTube Extensive Targeted ads Google ecosystem Indefinite unless deleted Some opt-out options

Content Persistence & Deletion

Platform Default Content Lifespan Deletion Effectiveness Archive/Download Options Content Ownership Reuse Policies
Bluesky Permanent Deletion requests honored Data portability by design User retains rights Limited reuse
Facebook Permanent Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Account data export User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for AI training
GitHub Permanent unless deleted Repository history remains in forks Repository cloning Depends on repository license Public code may be viewed and forked
Instagram Permanent Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Account data export User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for AI training
LinkedIn Permanent Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Account data export User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for AI training
Mastodon Instance-dependent Varies by instance Data export available User retains rights Limited reuse
Pinterest Permanent Deletion requests honored Limited export options User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for recommendations
Reddit Permanent Deleted posts may remain in archives Limited export options User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for AI training
Snapchat 24 hours (Stories), once viewed (Snaps) Designed to delete after viewing Memories feature for saving User retains rights, platform gets license Limited content reuse
Telegram Permanent unless deleted Secret Chats designed to delete Chat export option User retains rights Limited content reuse
TikTok Permanent Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Limited data export User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for AI training
Twitch Temporary unless saved VODs deleted after set period unless saved VOD export for creators User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for recommendations
VK Permanent Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Limited data export User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for recommendations
X (formerly Twitter) Permanent Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Account archive available User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for AI training
YouTube Permanent unless deleted Deletion requests honored but cached copies may exist Content download for creators User retains rights, platform gets license Content may be used for recommendations

Security Features

Platform 2FA Options Login Alert System Session Management API Security Security History
Bluesky Limited Limited Basic Early development New platform, limited history
Facebook SMS, App, Security key Yes Comprehensive OAuth Multiple incidents historically
GitHub SMS, App, Security key Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth, tokens Strong security record
Instagram SMS, App Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth Some incidents as part of Meta
LinkedIn SMS, App Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth Some breaches historically
Mastodon Instance-dependent Instance-dependent Basic OAuth Generally strong record
Pinterest SMS, App Limited Basic OAuth Few reported incidents
Reddit SMS, App Limited Basic OAuth Some incidents historically
Snapchat SMS, App Yes Active sessions viewable Limited API Some incidents historically
Telegram SMS, App, Password Yes Active sessions viewable Bot API Strong security focus
TikTok SMS, App Limited Basic Limited API Concerns about data practices
Twitch SMS, App Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth Some incidents historically
VK SMS, App Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth Government access concerns
X (formerly Twitter) SMS, App, Security key Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth Multiple breaches historically
YouTube SMS, App, Security key (Google) Yes Active sessions viewable OAuth Part of Google security ecosystem

Identity & Anonymity

Platform Real Name Required Pseudonym Friendly Identity Verification Profile Information Required Notes
Bluesky No Yes No formal verification Minimal Supports pseudonymous usage
Facebook Yes (policy) No (policy) ID verification available Substantial Real name policy enforced
GitHub No Yes No formal verification Minimal Common to use real name for professional reasons
Instagram No Yes Optional verification Minimal Verification limited to notable accounts
LinkedIn Yes (expected) No No formal verification Substantial Professional identity focused
Mastodon No Yes Instance-dependent Minimal Strong support for pseudonymity
Pinterest No Yes No formal verification Minimal Content focus over identity
Reddit No Yes No formal verification None Designed for pseudonymous usage
Snapchat No Yes No formal verification Minimal Common to use real identity with close friends
Telegram No Yes No formal verification Phone number Supports pseudonymous usage
TikTok No Yes Limited verification Minimal Creator verification available
Twitch No Yes Partner verification Minimal Many users use gaming handles
VK Yes (policy) Limited Phone verification Substantial Similar to Facebook’s approach
X (formerly Twitter) No Yes Optional verification Minimal Supports anonymous usage
YouTube No (but tied to Google) Yes Limited verification Minimal Channel name can differ from Google account

Privacy Risk Assessment

Platform Overall Privacy Rating Transparency Rating Control Rating Data Minimization Major Privacy Concerns
Bluesky Moderate-High Moderate-High High Moderate New platform, evolving practices
Facebook Low Moderate Moderate Very Low Extensive data collection, tracking
GitHub Moderate-High High High Moderate Public code visibility, Microsoft ownership
Instagram Low Moderate Moderate Very Low Extensive data collection, Meta ownership
LinkedIn Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Professional data mining, Microsoft integration
Mastodon High High High High Instance-dependent practices
Pinterest Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Interest-based profiling
Reddit Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Pseudonymity but extensive tracking
Snapchat Moderate Moderate Moderate-High Moderate Ephemeral design but data collection
Telegram High High High High Strong privacy features if used correctly
TikTok Very Low Low Low Very Low Extensive data collection, ownership concerns
Twitch Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Amazon ownership, streaming privacy risks
VK Low Low Moderate Low Government access, data collection
X (formerly Twitter) Moderate Moderate Moderate Low Extensive data collection, AI training usage
YouTube Low Moderate Moderate Very Low Google ecosystem integration, extensive tracking

Privacy Best Practices

Regardless of which platforms you use, consider these universal privacy best practices:

  1. Audit Your Privacy Settings Regularly
    • Set calendar reminders to review privacy settings quarterly
    • Check for new privacy options after platform updates
  2. Be Selective About Personal Information
    • Limit sharing of contact information, birth dates, and location data
    • Consider whether each piece of profile information is necessary
  3. Use Strong Authentication
    • Enable two-factor authentication on all platforms
    • Use different passwords for each social media account
    • Consider a password manager for security
  4. Review Connected Apps
    • Regularly audit third-party applications with access to your accounts
    • Remove access for apps you no longer use
  5. Understand Content Licensing
    • Be aware that most platforms claim a license to use your content
    • Consider watermarking important original work
  6. Control Your Digital Footprint
    • Search for yourself periodically to see what’s publicly visible
    • Request removal of sensitive information when possible
  7. Be Aware of Data Aggregation
    • Information shared across multiple platforms can be combined
    • Consider using different platforms for different aspects of your life
  8. Read Privacy Policy Updates
    • Pay attention to privacy policy change notifications
    • Opt out of new data uses when possible
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