34 Community Events As 2026 begins, the Devon RCMP is encouraging Albertans to take a fresh look at their digital habits and online activity. With rapid advances in artificial intelligence, cybercriminals and fraudsters are increasingly using new tools to manipulate photos, clone voices, and exploit personal information shared on social media. These emerging trends highlight the importance of protecting your online presence and being mindful of what you post, especially when it involves children, family members, or identifiable personal details. The new year is a great time to reassess your relationship with technology and take simple steps to reduce digital risk. The Devon RCMP encourages residents to consider the following safer online practices: Avoid posting personal details such as your home address, workplace, daily routines, travel plans, or financial information. Even small pieces of data can be used to build a profile for fraud or identity theft. Think carefully before posting or sharing identifiable photos of minors. Once an image is online, you lose control over how it may be used, saved, or altered. Consider using private sharing platforms or reducing the number of images posted publicly. Review social-media privacy settings at least once a year. Ensure only trusted individuals can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Adjust tagging permissions so you can approve what others share about you. Short voice clips, video messages, and livestreams can all be used to create AI-generated impersonations. Be cautious about posting audio or video that includes your full voice, your child’s voice, or private conversations. Protect email, banking, and social-media accounts with long, complex passwords. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to prevent unauthorized access. If you receive a call claiming to be a family member who needs money urgently, hang up and verify the situation through a trusted number. Do not rely on caller ID or voice recognition alone. Young people are often targeted for image manipulation, cyberbullying, and scams. Encourage open conversations about what they post, who they interact with, and how to report anything suspicious. For more online safety tips follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X@RCMPAlberta. Share Print