Privacy Issues (Blog Post #2)

 

 In the age of the internet and digital technology, online privacy has become a critical issue. Many people are now aware of the dangers of sharing personal information online and the potential consequences of having this information exposed. The TED Talks that were provided for this blog post highlight the challenges of maintaining privacy in today's digital world. 

Firstly, In "Your Online Life Permanent as a Tattoo," researcher Juan Enriquez highlights the permanence of our digital footprint and the potential consequences of this data being used against us. He argues that our personal data is an asset that we should own and control, and that governments and corporations must be held accountable for their use of this data. The issues raised in this TED Talk has affected someone I know because they posted a picture of them drinking online and they were refused multiple jobs as a result of this. https://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_your_online_life_permanent_as_a_tattoo

Secondly, In the TED Talk "The Small and Surprisingly Dangerous Detail the Police Track About You," speaker Catherine Crump discusses how seemingly insignificant details such as the location of our phone and our walking pace can be used by police to track us. She highlights the potential dangers of this kind of surveillance and the need for stronger privacy regulations to protect our personal data. The issues raised in this TED Talk affect me because I always have my location services turned on in my phone so it is susceptible to tracking. https://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_crump_the_small_and_surprisingly_dangerous_detail_the_police_track_about_you

Thirdly, In "How to Avoid Surveillance with the Phone in Your Pocket," cybersecurity expert Christopher Soghoian warns that our smartphones are a significant source of personal data that can be accessed by third parties, including governments and corporations. He emphasizes the importance of using privacy-enhancing tools such as encrypted messaging apps, VPNs, and secure web browsers to protect our personal data. The issues raised in this video affect me because I have got my instagram hacked in the past which shows that our privacy can be breached at any time. https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_soghoian_how_to_avoid_surveillance_with_the_phone_in_your_pocket

Finally, in the TED Talk titled "How Revenge Porn Turns Lives Upside Down," journalist and activist Darieth Chisolm shares her own experience of being a victim of revenge porn and the devastating impact it had on her life. She advocates for more significant consequences for perpetrators of this crime and emphasizes the importance of supporting and empowering victims. https://www.ted.com/talks/darieth_chisolm_how_revenge_porn_turns_lives_upside_down

It is the government's responsibility to protect citizens from threats, and the threats to online privacy are no exception. The government must take steps to ensure that companies collecting personal data are held accountable for their actions and that they are transparent about what information they are collecting, how it is being used, and who it is being shared with. There should be more stringent regulations and guidelines for companies that deal with personal data, with severe consequences for those that violate them. Additionally, governments should also invest in better cybersecurity measures to prevent hackers from accessing personal information.

But, it's not just up to the government to protect our online privacy. As individuals, there are several steps we can take to safeguard our personal information. First and foremost, we should always be cautious about what we share online. It's crucial to limit the amount of personal information that we put out there, and we should always be mindful of who we share it with. We should also ensure that our online accounts are secure with strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication. It's also essential to stay informed about the latest privacy threats and take steps to protect ourselves from them.