Due to the exponential growth of digital platforms and social media , access control has become one of the main challenges of the modern world. According to data from a report produced in partnership by We Are Social and Meltwater in 2024, Brazil had 144.0 million social media users in January 2024, equivalent to 66.3% of the population. While Facebook had 111.3 million users in Brazil, Instagram had 134.6 million users. The massive sharing of personal data online demands more rigorous security policies, such as the PNCiber (National ), to guarantee user privacy and the protection of sensitive data.
However, the complexity of the digital environment imposes a huge need to find a balance between security and usability , especially for organizations that need these platforms to maintain their activities. To help you, in this article, we will discuss the importance of access control, its impacts on privacy and mental health, and the technologies that are shaping this scenario .
The impact of social media on mental health and privacy.
Social media is increasingly present in people's lives, impacting mental health and privacy, especially among teenagers. However, in a recent interview, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, was keen to reject the idea that social media is directly responsible for harming young people's mental health . "Most high-quality research shows that there is no large-scale causal connection between social media use and mental health problems," he said.
Zuckerberg also recalled his statement to Congress in January, where he argued that studies so far have failed to prove a direct link between social media use and mental health problems among teenagers. He admits, however, that the platforms can have both negative and positive effects. "The academic research matches what I see on a daily basis about how these platforms work," he stated.
Furthermore, Zuckerberg highlighted the importance of parents in this scenario . For him, parental controls are essential, since each family has a different way of raising their children. Thus, giving parents the right tools to help manage screen time and platform usage is, in his view, one of the pillars for a healthy coexistence with technology.
According to Zuckerberg, the real villain in impacting teenagers' mental health isn't so much the apps themselves, but the constant barrage of notifications and distractions. "The ability to receive push notifications and get distracted seems to be a much more relevant factor in mental health problems than many of the apps themselves," he concluded.
Digital platforms like Facebook and Instagram have been widely criticized for their privacy practices , particularly regarding the use of data for advertising purposes. In this context, there is significant activity focused on protecting this information, leading to an intense debate about its use and how it can be protected to keep users safe .
Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that balancing a connected experience with a safe and healthy environment is a huge challenge. Regarding this concern, he also highlighted that the company is investing in new tools more incisive measures necessary .
Excessive exposure on social media, coupled with a lack of control over privacy, can cause serious mental health problems for users. Constant comparisons and the search for validation through interactions and likes exacerbate this situation. Thus, overexposure on social media , according to studies, can lead to feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and depression.
Therefore, it is essential that platforms and governments adopt stricter access control and privacy policies, especially to protect the most vulnerable users. Efficient access control is one of the most effective strategies to ensure that data is not misused, maintaining ethics and responsibility regarding the use of these platforms.
What is access control and why is it essential in the digital age?
Access control involves managing and restricting access to digital information and resources, defining which users can interact with each piece of content. This practice, carried out through specific software and tools, is fundamental to maintaining the security and organization of the digital environment.
In the digital age, where all services are interconnected, the risk of data breaches increases substantially. Therefore, access control not only protects users against cyberattacks , but also ensures compliance with data protection laws, such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe and the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law).
When referring to businesses, the lack of access control can cause enormous financial losses and reputational damage. Security breaches, when exploited, can expose sensitive data such as banking information, trade secrets, and personal communications.
Therefore, adopting more robust access control measures is fundamental to protecting digital assets, preserving privacy, and preventing cyber threats. Companies need to be attentive to this issue to avoid creating vulnerabilities in their systems and to constantly protect their users.
The growing importance of online privacy.
Online privacy has become one of the most debated topics in the digital age, mainly due to the increased use of social networks and data-sharing platforms. Privacy is intrinsically linked to access control, because without it, users' personal data becomes vulnerable to malicious companies and hackers. Thus, data being collected by large corporations raises ethical and legal concerns about the use of this information.
In June 2021, there was a data breach affecting 700 million LinkedIn users (representing approximately 92% of its total user base). Hackers sold this information on forums, including full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and professional details. The attack had a major impact on the platform, which had to adopt even more advanced security measures.
The growing concern about online privacy, driven by regulations such as the GDPR and LGPD , has required companies to adopt more transparent practices in the handling of personal data. Thus, the new legislation empowers users, allowing them to access, correct, or delete their data and to request consent for its use. Therefore, access control becomes fundamental to ensuring companies' compliance with legal standards and protecting user privacy.
However, there are still challenges we need to face. A lack of understanding of the terms and policies leads many users to share their data without knowing the risks. In this sense, we highlight the importance of broader digital education so that people can make more informed choices about the privacy of their data. Thus, online privacy is a collective responsibility, especially when dealing with employees of an organization. In other words, governments , companies, and users must work together to ensure an even safer and more private digital environment.
The risks of inefficient access control.
Thus, the absence or failure to implement effective access control mechanisms exposes both users and companies to a range of risks. When exposed, hackers can use sensitive data for fraud, identity theft, and corporate espionage, causing financial losses and significant reputational damage.
Companies that fail to invest in effective access control risk substantial data breaches , resulting in heavy fines and irreparable damage to their market reputation. Data breach , such as that of Cambridge Analytica , demonstrate how detrimental this type of approach can be.
In this case, the information of millions of Facebook users was misused, which had a major impact on the company. With the information of more than 87 million people exposed, Facebook's value on the stock market shrank by more than $35 billion at the time of the incident. Furthermore, this brought the company under scrutiny from authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to testify before a legislative committee.
At the end of 2022, Meta, Facebook's parent company, agreed to pay $725 million to settle a class-action lawsuit stemming from the Cambridge Analytica data breach. Although it made the settlement offer, Meta did not admit to any irregularities in its processes.
The unprecedented Facebook data breach had a significant impact on the global political landscape. The collected information was used to manipulate public opinion during elections , triggering a wave of protests and undermining user trust in the platform. This scandal exposed the social network's vulnerabilities and led to substantial changes in Facebook's privacy and security policies. Therefore, implementing a robust access control system is fundamental to mitigating these risks. Companies and digital platforms need to implement rigorous practices, such as constant monitoring and multi-factor authentication , to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data.
How can we guarantee secure and controlled access?
To protect information from unauthorized access, it is important to establish efficient access control policies and technologies. Thus, defining who accesses which data, with authentication and authorization, ensures security and protects the company and its clients. Multifactor authentication is essential in this process, adding an extra layer of security to all accesses. In addition to a password, the user must also provide another authentication factor , such as a code via SMS, biometrics, or another strategy. In this way, access by intruders becomes much more difficult.
Therefore, updating and reviewing security and access control systems are also very important aspects. Digital threats are constantly evolving, and companies need to keep up with these changes to avoid creating vulnerabilities. Regular system audits and monitoring of access activities help identify suspicious behavior, allowing the company to act more quickly.
Furthermore, raising user awareness about information security practices is fundamental to strengthening data protection. The indiscriminate sharing of personal information and the use of weak passwords are examples of behaviors that can compromise organizational security. Therefore, it is essential that companies invest in training and education programs to make employees aware of the risks and preventive measures.
Strong authentication: much more than just a password.
Strong authentication goes far beyond simply creating a complex password to protect an account. Nowadays, the use of weak or repeated passwords across multiple platforms is one of the main reasons for successful cyberattacks. For this reason, it is increasingly important to adopt authentication methods that offer greater security .
One of the most effective ways to establish strong authentication is through the use of multifactor authentication . This strategy requires the user to provide more than one proof of identity before being able to access their account or applications, requiring a code sent via SMS, email, or even biometrics such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning.
Biometrics is increasingly gaining ground as a strong authentication solution. Technological advancements have made facial and iris recognition more accessible, offering a higher and more personalized level of security .
Defining access profiles and permissions
Defining access profiles and permissions is vital to ensuring that system information is accessed in a more secure and controlled manner. Each user will only have access to the information necessary for their functions, an approach also known as the principle of least privilege .
Implementing this strategy allows the company to minimize the risks of unnecessary data exposure and also prevents the misuse of sensitive information. This means that a finance department employee may have full access to billing information, but will not be able to access human resources data.
Creating access profiles also facilitates monitoring and auditing , as companies can more easily identify who accessed specific information at specific times. This practice reduces vulnerability to internal attacks, ensuring that a malicious employee or partner cannot compromise the system.
Tools and technologies for effective access control.
Several tools and technologies can be implemented to ensure more effective access control . Choosing the right tool depends on the organization's needs, but all aim to protect the system against unauthorized access, guaranteeing the integrity of the information.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems are an essential tool for ensuring information security in organizations. IAM centralizes access control, monitors user activity, generates reports, and automates tasks, thus optimizing information security.
Next-generation firewalls offer an additional layer of protection by blocking unauthorized access to the network. This feature inspects and filters data packets in real time, blocking intrusion attempts before they reach the company's internal systems.
Another very important resource is technologies like VPN , which are widely used to ensure that data transmitted between users and servers is encrypted , protecting the data even when employees are not in the corporate environment.
Content blocking and filtering system
Content blocking and filtering systems are important mechanisms for protecting users from unwanted access and harmful information. Companies can use these systems to block access to malicious or inappropriate websites, preventing phishing attacks or malware that compromise the network.
This system is useful in schools and other educational environments, allowing the blocking of inappropriate content and ensuring the safety and well-being of students. It's possible to block content such as pornography, violent content, social media, and gambling, keeping users focused on important activities.
It's important to mention that social media platforms are implementing filtering features to combat hate speech, fake news, and harmful content. This blocking is done with the help of artificial intelligence , which quickly identifies and removes content that violates the implemented policies, bringing more security to users.
Organizations that handle sensitive data can also use filtering tools to prevent confidential information from being inadvertently shared outside of their systems. This way, the company can establish greater control over what enters and leaves the network, preventing leaks and security incidents.
Block social media and messaging platforms with one click.
The ability to block social media and messaging platforms with a simple click has become a growing demand in the country among parents, teachers, companies, and employers. In professional and academic environments, unrestricted access to these platforms can compromise the productivity and security of users.
Parental control tools , such as those integrated into operating systems and browsers, allow the setting of automatic rules to block the use of social networks at certain times or for specific activities. These solutions help prevent user distraction and avoid exposing them to harmful interactions in the digital environment.
In the corporate environment, it is necessary for companies to use social media blocking software, such as Lumiun DNS , and other platforms to prevent employees from wasting time on non-work-related activities. Lumiun DNS allows for the customized blocking of categories, such as social networks, gaming platforms, and entertainment websites. Constant communication through messaging applications also compromises company security, making it necessary to block this resource as well.
One-click blocking is a very useful feature in emergency situations, where blocking social networks and messaging apps prevents the spread of inappropriate information and allows attention to be focused on an ongoing task or activity. In this way, this powerful tool can help control the use of digital platforms even more effectively.
Privacy settings and time limits
Privacy settings and time limits are two essential aspects of effective access control, especially when referring to digital platforms. Customizing these privacy settings allows users to control the level of exposure of their information, from the visibility of posts to the sharing of personal data.
On social media, we can adjust who sees our posts, who sends us messages, and what data we share with third parties. These tools together help maintain a safe and private environment , allowing users to choose what can be shared and with whom.
Setting time limits for the use of digital platforms, in turn, can be a very effective measure for managing mental health and digital well-being. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok already offer an option to limit daily usage time , preventing excessive and compulsive use.
Companies can also use these settings to limit access time to corporate systems, ensuring that sensitive data is only available during working hours, reducing the risk of intrusions or unauthorized access outside of business hours.
The balance between security and usability.
One of the biggest challenges in access control on digital platforms is striking a balance between security and usability . More robust and secure systems tend to require multiple steps for authentication and permissions, which can make the user experience more tedious and complex. It's necessary to find a middle ground to protect data without compromising ease of use and to ensure that platforms are both secure and functional.
One solution gaining popularity in this regard is simplifying the login process , such as using passwordless authentication . This approach utilizes methods like security tokens and biometric authentication, reducing user difficulty and optimizing data protection.
Education about security best practices remains crucial for users to understand the importance of adopting more robust measures, such as multifactor authentication . If users recognize the benefits of security layers and the risks of their absence, they are more willing to follow these procedures without affecting their experience.
Considering all these factors, the key to success is designing intuitive and functional systems that guarantee security to protect user information. Platforms must innovate and adjust their security strategies to ensure the protection of confidential information in the digital environment.
Therefore, the key to success is designing intuitive and functional systems that ensure security to protect user information.
The challenges of access control
Access control faces a number of challenges in the digital age. One of the main problems is the increasing complexity of digital systems and networks, which often include numerous geographically distributed users and devices. Managing access to these complex networks without creating vulnerabilities is an arduous and complex task, especially for companies that handle large volumes of data .
The rapid evolution of cyber threats is another very significant challenge. Hackers and malicious groups are constantly developing new strategies to breach security systems, requiring companies to always stay one step ahead. Keeping access control tools up-to-date is essential for this reason, but it can be time-consuming and costly for the organization.
Another major challenge is the human factor . Weaknesses, lack of security awareness, and the sharing of credentials are often the most common mistakes that facilitate cybercriminals' attacks. Even with the implementation of quality tools to block this type of approach, user behavior can compromise security.
Benefits for businesses and users on digital platforms
Implementing more efficient access control brings numerous benefits to both companies and users. For companies, ensuring system security significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, preventing financial losses and reputational damage. Customer and partner trust is also greatly strengthened when a company demonstrates that information security is a priority.
Increased operational efficiency is another major benefit of this process. By defining clear access profiles and permissions, companies have better control over who accesses what information, preventing data misuse and ensuring regulatory compliance.
For users, access control ensures that information is protected against intruders and other malicious actors. This creates a safer digital environment where it's possible to interact with platforms without fear of data being exposed or misused .
With access control measures in place, users are able to establish greater control over their own digital experiences by setting privacy and security preferences.
Considering all these factors, access control is an important aspect of security and privacy on digital platforms and social networks. With more people and companies relying on these resources daily, data protection becomes increasingly important.
Implementing more robust control policies , combined with advanced technologies and ongoing education , are essential measures to meet the challenges of the digital age. The balance between security and usability will ensure that companies and users enjoy a safe, reliable, and productive .
