The Spiraling Web Of Internet: Needs Control Or Not?
“Manipulation fueled with good intent, can be a blessing. But when used wickedly, it is the beginning of a magician’s karmic calamity.”
-T.F. Hodge
If you are a power player, you will feel enriched by dominating people and their thoughts, without them knowing it. When it comes to politics, leaders with power often try to modify culture and overpower your thoughts, even before you know it. They do so at mindful junctures. In the case of Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal, the goal was dominance and harvesting into the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent, thus using it for political advertising.
While I am sitting on this sunny afternoon day, reading MindF**k by Christopher Wylie, I am made to believe as to how we were and still are (for some) living in this world of deception, thinking that social media platforms like Facebook are keeping our data safe and we can trust them. The author, who played a key role in the scandal, seems quivering and realizes the damage he’s done. He mentions how political leaders were able to harvest data from the Facebook profiles of millions of Americans — backed by a desire to not only accumulate information and people’s thinking, but dominate their minds and emotions.
This led me to ask myself several questions: Is it high time that the government regulates the Internet? Do users need to be more conscious of what they put out on the internet? Are these tech-giants getting powerful day by day and enjoying monopoly? Can Internet not be our safe haven anymore?
Let’s try to understand the scandalous case of 2018 first, developments and what needs to be done as a result of it.
Facebook — Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal
It was a major scandal in 2018 that was caused due to Cambridge Analytica breaching privacy of millions of Facebook users in US & UK for political advertising. Facebook gave permission to ‘This is your Digital Life’, an app developed by Cambridge Analytica, to collect personal data from Facebook users and their friends too, giving access to user’s pictures, timeline, news feed and even messages. This data was used to create profiles of consumers and target political ads towards them. Information was given to world-renowned leaders for their political campaigns: Trump, Ted Cruz etc.
Facebook stock fell after this incident and Mark Zuckerberg came into the spotlight. It took him 5 days after the scandal came into limelight to address the public, apologize and make promises of a privacy-led future. But I am a firm believer of the fact that trust once gone, can never be restored.
Developments post the scandal
With an issue that blew everyone’s mind, it was imperative for the respective governments to take strict action and hold leaders responsible. Mark Zuckerberg, who took pride in owning one of the largest communications platforms, informed the public that this was a mistake and that Facebook was taking ownership of locking down user’s data. In addition, he also had to answer and testify to the Congress.
European Union made sweeping changes to its Copyright laws in order to make passage of information stricter. California recently passed the California Consumer Privacy Act in order to grant consumers more control and perspective into the spread and misuse of their personal information online. This is one of the most powerful weapons to prevent digital platforms from causing privacy breach.
However, taking the recent Corona virus pandemic into consideration, with misinformation spreading like a wildfire through social media channels, can we really trust these internet-based platforms?
Do we need to pull the strings of the internet?
Most definitely, I feel. The internet is accessed by billions of users across the world and is used as a means of connecting with other people and finding useful information. Even though parts of it are governed, I feel the tools of manipulation and deceit still exist through misleading ads and campaigns that are becoming bolder in their deception.
In my opinion, consumers should have the ultimate power to opt in or out while providing information and accepting cookies. I am of the belief that the internet needs patrolling because information on it spreads like wildfire, misinformation especially. With all devices such as television, tablets, mobile phones being connected to the internet, there needs to be data security.
However, it is an appeal to all users too, to be careful and vigilant of the information they are giving out on these platforms. We need to be equally cautious as the 2018 scandal is still fresh in our minds. I think it is important to remember that the responsibility of consumption and usage lies with us. Regulation of the internet is only possible with co-operation from tech giants, law enforcement and greater transparency.
Do you all agree too? Let me know your thoughts. Also, the movie Brexit is based on the same scandal. Do watch, it’s a treat.
