Data: The New Gold Rush and Its Implications for Digital Privacy
Over the past decade, we have witnessed a remarkable transformation towards a digital realm that now permeates every facet of our lives. Whether it’s expressing our emotions, exchanging ideas, or even earning a living, the websites and social media platforms we use have fundamentally changed how we connect and collaborate with one another. However, as with any major paradigm shift, this digital revolution has brought with it a slew of intricate challenges that require careful consideration and navigation.
Our virtual lives
With 63% or 4.56 billion people using social media, it is an extremely versatile yet complex issue that has effects on everyone's lives. As someone who grew up using the internet, I made my first Instagram account at the age of 14. To me, this was just a place to post funny pictures and see what my friends were doing; surely, this was all this application with square images and emoticon-overwhelmed captions was. Unbeknownst to me, my every like, click, and comment was meticulously tracked and catalogued as data, revealing my preferences and behaviours to advertisers eager to sell me something. I was both the consumer and the customer, ensnared in a web of targeted marketing. That time I stumbled upon an ad for a vegan leather bag company after browsing for handbags online. Not a mere coincidence.
Surveillance Struggle
The issue of data privacy is an ever-present concern that affects us all rather than a fleeting trend. When the EU introduced a sweep of online consumer privacy measures in 2018, there was a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) initiative to give back control to consumers. However subsequent events, such as Brexit forcing companies like Google to move their user's data from the UK to the US, have sparked fears of mass surveillance and compromised security, with some worrying that their data was being controlled by the Trump government. The devil's advocate could argue that safe surveillance can benefit consumers, curating a personalised experience and digital space for them, but till data privacy abuses are not entirely ended, it is hard to imagine a world where surveillance is not looked at through the spectre of the Orwellian “Big Brother” looming large with suspicion.
If trust is a critical aspect of the relationship between social media companies and their users, how do we allow our data to abuse our privacy? According to research carried out by the GlobalWebIndex, nearly two-thirds of consumers are worried about how their personal data is being used by media companies.
But does such weariness equate to complete distrust? It is not that simple.
Instances like Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica Scandal saw a monumental data breach with a consulting firm harvesting the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent. In the aftermath, Pew research revealed that 1 in 4 Americans deleted Facebook due to the breach, suggesting that users are less likely to engage with platforms that they do not trust.
Once hailed a mecca for transparent communication and information access, the internet experience is now being met with weariness and, in some cases, even fear. A 2021 survey by Nortion Life Lock found 63% of respondents believe the internet is becoming a more dangerous place for our data. Even internationally, in countries like Hong Kong which are lauded for their strict internet regulations, privacy regulators are having to issue guidance on data security due to an increase in Cyberattacks.
A Digital Record of Interactions
When I delved into “Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World”, I was surprised to discover the author suggested that the best way to control data is to focus on getting involved in the political process and have legislators change the rules, rather than expecting the current regulations to do their job. This made me ponder if it is already too late to have any “real” control and if data privacy is just a far-fetched illusion with no true existence.
During the ‘Individual, identity and ethics’ module, we explored Article 17 of the EU GDPR, which grants us the right to have personal information erased from the internet. So why have cyber-attacks risen by a staggering 358% in recent years, even though companies are investing more in data security, and laws like GDPR are being strengthened to protect us?
Some tech experts like Erkang Zheng have argued that data breaches are a normal byproduct of the Internet revolution, arguing that “we can’t prevent attacks from happening because the bad guys will always find clever ways to strike”. Zheng is correct in pointing out that security is a challenging job and that they must do everything right to prevent a breach, but an attacker must only do one thing right to cause it. This notion is largely supported, and even Joe Sunderland on the DigiSoc module said such breaches were inevitable for an internet user. Still, this tradeoff of private information for the benefits that the internet provides does not seem sustainable, considering there is a continual increase in data breaches, with over 422 million individuals affected in 2022.
When Michael Stevenson noted that “Information has always had value, and keeping it safe has been a concern since that information could be first shared”, I couldn't help but question why such protection was not more prominent. We are arguably at the start of a new digital age, where people are even happy to donate their personal data for a good cause, like serving society. This same digital society created campaigns like the #MeToo movement, which helped spread awareness about survivors of abuse, help children access education and offer a whole new world filled with a plethora of opportunities at everyone's fingertips.
Like every good thing in life, our digital world and data are not perfect and can often feel like a double-edged sword. Data creation and usage, along with all the good and bad it can bring, is here to stay. Scepticism around social media won’t dissipate anytime soon, and gaining some level of trust with consumers will be crucial to the future of social media platforms.
Reflecting On This Journey
Like most other 20-year-olds, I was an everyday internet user and chose to study this module to understand more about the platform I spend hours every day on, use to communicate, and sometimes even rely on to function. I assumed I had an absolute understanding of the internet since I was such a regular user, but this module made me realise I had not even comprehended its expanse. The module has been an eye-opening experience that made me gain a deeper understanding of how the internet has shaped our world. Although I had the usual anti-virus and VPN extension, I had not considered the risks to privacy and security, the constant tracking of every ad or website you click on and the impact on health and social well-being.
The digital delivery of the course truly embodied its intent, creating a space for discussion and collaboration that felt extremely personal. This gave me the flexibility to learn at my own pace and access different sources while doing so, getting an opportunity to undertake my own research into the topics we were learning. Moreover, I realised I had an extremely narrow view of the digital world, and heard words like ‘Smart Cities’ and the ‘Internet of Things’ in passing but never truly considered how integral they were to our society. The internet has transformed how we communicate, work and access information, but with this comes new vulnerabilities in our data privacy and security.
As an aspiring lawyer, this module inspired me to pursue an internship in the ‘Data and Technology Transactions’ sector to research to learn more about IP assets, digital platforms and privacy breach cases. Digisoc helped me practically apply the content I had learned through this course and witness how these infringements affect parties in real life. I witnessed the impact of phishing attacks on clients’ databases and the various teams working tirelessly to solve these issues and protect sensitive information. The experience solidified my understanding of the importance of data privacy and security and its role in modern society.
Being accustomed to analysing legislation and black letter law, the module’s informal blogging style was a unique challenge to adapt to, and I struggled to incorporate aspects like quotes and pictures into my work. DigiSoc helped me articulate and express my thoughts creatively, encouraging me to question everything before I formed an opinion (something I do not usually get to do in my degree). I enjoyed learning the importance of structured yet engaging writing, a valuable skill set for my future career. The Digisoc 1 assignment was definitely the most exciting work I have undertaken in all three years of university and is something I will remember even after I graduate. I believe this module gave me an opportunity to learn vital information about our transforming world yet also apply my own creativity to curate informed opinions and considerations. Thank you to Dave and the team for putting this module together!
