Privacy in the Digital Age
“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” — Walt Kelly
The ever-growing presence of the ‘internet of things’ and ‘smart cities’ are linking mundane objects in our environments to large networks of data. This is making our lives more connected and raising concerns about privacy and autonomy.
Digital privacy refers to safeguarding personal information that individuals generate or access while using the internet on computers or personal devices. Today’s rapid technological advancements is making privacy more crucial and it is important for individuals to remain vigilant when using online platforms to ensure they do not expose themselves to any data privacy issues.
Exploring Digital Privacy
Safeguarding online privacy is of growing importance due to the increasing use of digital technologies today. Due to the existence of phenomenons such as ‘digital footprint’, which refers to the traceable data traces left by individuals’ day-to-day interactions on the Internet, everyone’s privacy is always at risk of being exploited. This highlights the new and large implications associated with technology today and it raises several questions on the security of our personal data in the digital world. All types of online communication leaves a trace, with many websites also collecting information through cookies to help with data collection, highlighting the growing value of data.
Generally, information collection is usually combined with some kind of reciprocal exchange for the user and information provider. This exchange may involve gifts or access to exclusive content. Many people value these types of exchanges and willingly disregard their security settings or attention to digital footprints, giving up their privacy for consumer benefits.
The Implications of Digital Privacy
Due to financial incentives that big data can offer companies such as data monetisation, there are several implications that arise for consumers on their digital privacy. As people prefer to keep their online interactions safe from third-party surveillance, there will always be a constant threat to users’ privacy as many conversations have been found to be recorded by social media and messaging apps.
Concerns have arisen about smart devices with built-in microphones potentially capturing snippets of in-person conversations. Furthermore, there is a common belief that our smartphones may be listening in on us constantly. This isn’t entirely speculation — several incidents have fuelled these concerns, suggesting it’s a genuine possibility.
Social media platforms collection of sensitive data such as shopping habits, political views, and even geolocation, further increases concerns. In May 2021 it was reported that more than 100 million Android users’ sensitive personal data were leaked due to several misconfigurations. In the same year, a database containing the personal information of 533 million Meta account users across 106 countries was exposed. This conveys the fact that nobody’s data is ever truly protected, even with established and trusted platforms, people’s personal data is always at risk of being exposed.
Corporations such as Google and Meta (again) have used people’s personal information in their research activities. One concerning example is during the research conducted by Meta in 2014. The company experimented on hundreds of thousands of unknowing users, attempting to induce an emotional state in them by selectively showing either positive or negative stories in their news feeds. This research was a clear violation of the established ethical standards set out by research institutions, as they acquired information by manipulating people without their informed consent and without debriefing them.
Ethical Considerations in Digital Privacy
These events regarding the misuse of personal data and breaches highlights a key concern around the ethics of using people’s personal data as a means for monetary gain. Governments argue that access to personal data helps them in combating crimes and making more informed decisions. However, this poses the question: to what extent should individual privacy be compromised for the sake of security?
The Article 17 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation, states that we have the right to have our personal information erased from the internet. This means that we have the right to erase our data at any time, disabling the access companies and governments may hold. There are even financial implications if a request is not fulfilled, with fines of up to 20 million euros being charged.
This regulation is highly important and necessary for consumers as oftentimes we can agree to terms and services without fully understanding what they mean. This is because these agreements are lengthy and filled with legal jargon that are difficult to read. This raises ethical questions about informed consent and the fairness of data transactions.
Governance of Digital Privacy
As a result of the evolving implications and ethics of digital privacy, robust guidelines and policies have been created by governments to protect consumers and address societal needs. Legislations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), created by the European Union in 2018, represent one of the most significant changes in data protection legislation in recent decades.
GDPR allows for personal data to only be processed in a lawful and transparent manner, following a set of principles that ensure that the individual whose data is being used can effectively make use of their rights.
Data protection policies are just the first step. Real progress hinges on robust enforcement. Institutions and governments must go beyond regulations and implement strong enforcement mechanisms. This includes imposing penalties for breaches, but also empowering consumers through ongoing public education about their digital rights.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Self-Reflection
My engagement with students from various academic disciplines has not only enriched my understanding of digital privacy but also provided me with a diverse range of perspectives on the topic. As a result, I can appreciate the complexities of digital privacy from legal, ethical, technological, and social viewpoints. Additionally, discussions with my peers on this course have given me a broad range of new perspectives on digital privacy and the ongoing challenges between maintaining privacy and ensuring security. These discussions have made me critically analyse the balance of these elements in current policies.
My background in social sciences has provided me with valuable insights into how digital privacy issues impact different industries and corporations. Working collaboratively with students on Medium has been an enriching experience. It has greatly improved my critical thinking skills, encouraging me to challenge assumptions and consider diverse perspectives when evaluating the impact of digital technologies on privacy. This process has taught me the importance of integrating diverse academic insights into my work. It has not only deepened my analytical skills but also enhanced my reflective thinking, allowing me to approach complex issues with a well-rounded understanding.
Personal Development
Taking this course has been truly eye-opening. It’s greatly enhanced my critical thinking skills, allowing me to gain a strong understanding of both the opportunities and challenges we face in a digital world. Most importantly, it has solidified my understanding of how important critical thinking is today. This isn’t just academic knowledge I have gained; it’s already having a real impact on my daily life, shaping how I approach the world around me.
Growth through Learning
I have grown significantly during my time on this course. Working and conversing with lecturers has provided many opportunities for me to challenge my conventional ways of thinking about topics. It has helped to provide me with a deeper, more balanced viewpoint on digital privacy. This continuous dialogue has revealed the link between our online actions and societal norms. Using knowledge from my other modules, I gained a strong understanding of how to navigate in a digital world and protect my privacy.
Application and Future Implications
I have already started to apply my strengthened knowledge of digital societies in my life, and my online behaviour has significantly changed. Academically, these learnings aid my research in other modules and enrich my understanding. Personally, I’m more vigilant and proactive with my digital privacy settings, having researched multiple methods to ensure robust online security and privacy. This knowledge even translates to my professional life; my commitment to ethical use of data in my organisation has grown considerably. This course wasn’t just informative; it equipped me to meaningfully contribute to critical discussions on digital ethics and privacy, helping shape a more responsible technological landscape for the future.
Privacy in a Digital World
Understanding one’s digital privacy rights is crucial in today’s digital age. This course not only highlighted the importance of informed online engagement but also sparked a passion within me to shape a fairer future as digital technologies advance. As we move further in the evolving digital landscape, ongoing education and ethical engagement are the most powerful tools for preserving both online privacy and freedom.
