Privacy: Do We Really Have It?

 Privacy: Do We Really Have It?

    In this digital age, all we seem to talk about is keeping our data private, but can our data ever really be private. In this day and age, we post everything online whether we realize it or not. Information can be gathered from everything we do from sending an email, posting on Instagram, making a phone call, and even just driving around! Not only can this information be gathered, but it can be gathered without our knowledge or consent by our government, foreign government, hackers, and terrorists. I don't know about you, but this terrifies me.

    Video 1

     

  This video used a really interesting analogy for our digital footprint. The speaker in this video likened our digital footprint to a tattoo. In the same way that a tattoo can tell a story, so will our digital footprint. We are plastered with digital tattoos, and much like tattoos, not all are pretty. Our digital footprint is immortal and will outlast us.

Video 2

        Thanks to modern technology, there is a data base of almost everything you do. I found this video especially creepy. We are constantly being monitored in our day-to-day lives. Mass surveillance systems such as license plate readers and cell tower dumps keep track of your location constantly. Originally intended to look for suspects, these systems keep track of movements and locations. However, these systems keep a file on you regardless of criminality. From this, information such as your hobbies, places you frequent, religion, and daily routine are gathered and stored. Just because you don't see this technology does not mean it is not there.

Video 3

        We all carry a cell phone now, and that means we are never free from constant surveillance. Telephone companies have provided wiretapping assistance to the government for over 100 years. Now, the software is built into the very networks we use. These networks were built with surveillance as the main priority. This means anyone could be listening to you without you ever knowing. Also, there is no such thing as a hacker laptop or dealer phone; we all use the same communication devices, so if we have the ability to spy on others, they have the ability to spy on you. 

Video 4

        Not only can we easily be spied on, but we lack protection online. Since mainstream internet became a thing, there are so many ways to hurt others. The speaker in this video shares her story of revenge porn, or as she calls it, digital domestic abuse. Revenge porn is the use of explicit images or video published online without consent to hurt or damage someone. One in ten women face this. Her story shows the distinct lack of protection we have on the internet. She fought for eleven months to get these images taken down. In the US only 40 states and DC have laws against revenge porn, and even with these laws, punishments are light. This is even worse when the case crosses international borders. We desperately need more laws to regulate harmful actions on the internet.

Video 5

    

  What is one thing we do every day on the internet? We send emails. You may not think an email holds that much data, but you would be incorrect. Although a singular email may not hold much, we often send multiple emails a day every day. Over just a year this is a copious amount of information. Emails are not private. An email is similar to a postcard where everyone can read exactly what you said. Also, the younger generation is taught to put everything online with no regard to privacy and safety. This means our younger generations may have not concept of privacy on the internet in the future.

Video 6

        A new common trend in our daily lives are smart devices such as Alexa's, Google minis, smart fridges, and even smart lightbulbs. All these online smart devices are constantly gathering data about you. Many of these devices are incredibly easy to connect to and hack into. This means you are never safe from being spied on even in your own home. Even toys can spy on you. There was a doll called the Cayla doll that was sold that had the ability to connect to the internet and answer your child's questions; however, this doll was easily hacked into allowing people to prey on children. This doll now sits in a German spy museum. Another big factor of our internet privacy is the terms and conditions. Many people have seen the terms and conditions box pop up and clicked I agree without reading it. Often, these terms are too wordy for anyone to read and understand. Unfortunately, when we give out consent to these apps, you can never take it back.