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For Your Eyes Only
Top secret

In the 'olden days' (by which we mean the 1990s) all you had to do to maintain some semblance of privacy was add your name to that 'no junk mail' list and get an unlisted phone number. These days of course there's dozens of ways to unwittingly expose yourself to the world.

As if Facebook wasn't a minefield of accidental exposure already, then the recent decision to begin showing members' profiles on Google et al means that what happens in Facebook, may no longer stay in Facebook.

Celebs of course are used to this kind of thing. Gawker's Stalker site has been tracking America's rich and famous for a while now, but with The London Star Map adding addresses quicker than you can say 'restraining order' it's only a matter of time before us little people get caught in the net. Live anywhere near a film location or musical landmark? Then start worrying.

So how to begin editing your 'personal brand'? First step: Google yourself. Any old quotes or message board comments you're not too happy about then contact the website in question and ask them to delete the offending material. Then review all the privacy settings on any social network you belong to.

Beyond that it's a case of doing a Howard Hughes - i.e. never leaving your house and wearing a bag over your head.

by RH
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