Post #7: Privacy in the Digital Age

Since the early days of the Internet, consumer privacy has been a topic of concern. Initially, much of the conversations seemed to be centered around how we can make online transactions as secure as possible. However, the growth of the Internet has also opened a new profit mine for corporations: selling the personal data of consumers. Unfortunately, this business model seems to appear on almost any website you visit, with many requiring users to agree to terms of service and/or some type of privacy policy. Simply put, it is nearly impossible to avoid online data collection unless you go completely off-the-grid. Naturally, this issue impacts almost everyone (certainly everyone in the developed world). After all, as discussed in the TedTalk we watched, even if you are personally very careful with your data, new technologies allow government agencies to keep tabs on you without your knowledge using as little data as a license plate number. Yet, the issue of privacy in the digital age is so complex that no single party can offer a complete solution.

In my personal life, I try to be aware of the information I give out online, but I also have to use the Internet everyday for school. In doing so, I increase the likelihood that my data is being collected and sold. Generally, I think I am more careful about online privacy than most people my age as a result of growing up with two parents who work in IT, with one who often works in conjunction with cybersecurity. I find that anytime I reflect on the issues of cybersecurity and online privacy I feel daunted by the sheer magnitude of the problem. As a consumer, I know that I should be aware of what data I allow companies to access, so I try to only grant access to the bare minimum requirements to use a product/service and make myself aware of the agreements I am entering. However, when it comes to things like tracking search history and targeted advertising, I tend to feel much more helpless. Because it just isn't realistic to stop using the Internet and smart technology, I find that I have to compartmentalize my concerns regarding online privacy, lest they become all-consuming anxieties that inhibit my ability to function without worry. 

As far as solutions go, I think the only solutions to the issues surrounding online privacy will require action by individual consumers, governments, and corporations. First, consumers must make smart decisions online. We must be aware of the products we are using, what information we give them access to, and what that information can be used for. That said, it is imperative that government regulations catch up with technology. For example, one major issue where the law needs to catch up to technology in order to protect consumers is "revenge porn". Because there are not yet clear legal standards for dealing with harassment, stalking, threats, and the non-consensual posting of private images, victims of crimes perpetrated online often struggle to obtain justice. In these cases, the government could set clear laws dictating a process for dealing with cybercrime. Beyond crime, governments should also set stronger regulations for what Internet companies can and cannot do with users' personal information. Finally, I think corporations need to step up and take responsibility for protecting their consumers. Though it may contradict the current online business model that is built on the invasion of privacy, corporations need to commit themselves to protecting data by stopping the sale of information to third parties. Ultimately, we, as a society, have a long way to go when it comes to protecting our personal information online, but changes at the individual, government, and corporate levels can lead us to a more secure future.