The FBI is in the market for a system that can turn data scraped from social media and news sites into useful anti-terrorist and criminal intelligence. It wants information about domestic and global threats displayed on maps "using mash-up technology," according to a "request for information" given to agency vendors last week.

People are becoming more aware not only of the security issues related to social media but also the business models that sustain the providers of these networks. As a result, there is a growing appreciation for just how easily personal data can be misappropriated.

Social networking sites are a goldmine for learning just about anything about anyone. But when it comes to potential employees, just because the information is out there doesn’t mean you can use it -- such an action could land you in a lot of hot water.

A new survey finds wide support in Britain for shutting down Twitter and Facebook during times of civil unrest. Following rioting in August 2011 in which London Police say social media and BlackBerry email were used to organize, the rioters, police want the ability to disable the networks when they feel a need exists to protect the public.