Do you feel safe using Facebook?

The Examiner asked residents for their thoughts after the social network was accused for selling users’ information to company Cambridge Analytica, which used the data to target individuals with pro-Donald Trump messages.

Personal details of users and their friends were collected when people took part in a personality test.

’It’s unsurprising, to be honest,’ said Braydie Grove, 29, from Douglas. ’If people have signed up to Facebook then they’ve already agreed for their data to be used.

’This year has been a turning point for me because of my New Year’s resolution. I’d had enough of Facebook and so decided to delete it.

’It’s a bit weird having all your data up for everyone to see. Even your relationship status having to be Facebook official is strange. When Facebook started, being "public" was this new thing and being "private" had become this weird thing.

’Looking at Facebook and Twitter there are a lot of adverts and groups with very extreme views. In a way, these platforms have said "how people use our network isn’t up to us". But now that more people are influencing elections and other things, maybe these companies should be more responsible?

’However, there’s a fine line with free speech. They should protect, but not control.’

Peter Kostorz, 28, from Douglas, and Mila Janosz, 38, are also not surprised by the accusations.

’Everybody is spied on by the government and other bodies,’ said Peter.

Mila agreed: ’It’s like that situation with Samsung’s new phones, which had its cameras recording you with no permission.’

However, they use Facebook to keep their friends and families up-to-date with what’s happening in their lives.

’I’m also interested in the environment, so I can share articles or news about it, as well as read things myself. If we’re not reading the newspapers, we can read about what’s happening in the island on Facebook.’

Peter said: ’For example, we could read about the recent storms on Facebook when we were away in Tenerife.’

Paul Hurst, 49, from Peel, does not have a Facebook account. He said: ’People seem to be surprised when their private and sensitive data is shared, but they put it there in the first place!

’I do think there needs to be more regulation, as it’s a bit out of hand now because of people using it for propaganda.’

Douglas resident Sarah Olsen, 44, finds the issue ’scary’. She said: ’People have to be very careful with what they share.

’I used to do the personality tests, but I don’t any more after I read that your information can be accessed through them.

’Mark Zuckerberg has said they’re setting up a programme that lets people see what they’ve shared, but I don’t think it will help.’

Katie Kneen, 29, Colby, says she’s ’addicted’ to Facebook. ’Without it, I would totally miss out on conversations in the office - for instance with what’s happening to Ant and Dec.

’If you’re not savvy enough, then Facebook can do what it wants with your data.’