Final answer:
Privacy settings allow account owners to control who can view their personal information, supported by privacy policies and laws like COPPA. It's crucial for individuals to protect their data by understanding their privacy rights and managing their privacy settings carefully.
Step-by-step explanation:
Privacy settings on online platforms are a critical component of an individual's online privacy, security, and control. These settings allow account owners to decide who can view their personal information. Privacy policies and federal laws such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the regulations implemented by private businesses help in safeguarding personal data and ensuring users can choose their level of privacy. However, debates regarding the government's access to an individual's cyber information in the interest of national security against the right to privacy continue. It's essential for individuals to protect their data by becoming familiar with privacy rights, reading privacy policies carefully, and being selective about the personal information they share online.