Privacy

Social media and the internet have made our lives easier. We are now digitally connected and able to interact with people and companies more through the web on multiple devices such as our desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices. However, what information is shared about us on websites and social media on the most part is freely posted by us. As a general rule, this information can be sold, and anything that is posted onto the internet is no longer private. Information, pictures, and typed out words can always be tracked down one way or another. In the article “The Wild West of Privacy” by The New York Times, it states that corporations such as Google and Facebook collect personal data and information about us, and companies like Acxiom sell our data such as our personal health information, sexual orientation, and finance history to other companies who want to learn about us. Through our searches, purchases, and individuals and companies that we interact with or follow on websites or social media sites, a personal profile is created for every person who uses web-based services. Furthermore, any selfie or tagged photo will virtually identify an individual, and now one’s face can be tracked as well. The thought of who truly owns this information and data is being increasingly unclear, as seen evidenced by Facebook who technically owns photos that are uploaded to its site.

In addition, companies have not made it easy to ensure that our accounts with them are kept private and only to be viewed by our confirmed online friends or followers. In fact, in the article "Facebook Privacy is So Confusing Even The Zuckerberg Family Photo Isn't Private" by The Atlantic, Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of Mark Zuckerberg had posted a private vacation photo onto her Facebook page. The photo was retweeted on Twitter without her knowledge. This is because her profile is open to friends of her friends. In order for our accounts to truly be more private, the privacy setup and the visibility of our accounts should be made known to us in a simpler way than being hidden in Facebook’s settings. Steps to be more transparent by large corporations such as Facebook and Google must be taken so individuals know about the information and data that is being collected about them. This openness with what is being shared with other companies and the world would help make us aware of our digital footprint and its consequences.

Finally, confidentiality and new media must be addressed, especially by millennials who must live in this future digital world. In the article “Survey reveals generation gap in attitudes about security and privacy” by Java World, one’s Social Security Number was listed as the most valuable personal information to protect for both Gen X individuals and Millennials alike. Despite this awareness, securing one’s work email came in as the 5th highest concern for Gen X individuals, but it was not a part of the top 5 high concerns for Millennials. Any confidential information that is emailed or otherwise sent through these official workplace focused email accounts should be of utmost concern for Millennials. Internally generated company information, documents, and finances should be kept in the company’s own digital network and safeguarded by its workers. This changing mindset from one generation to the next illustrates the diminishing perceived importance of how one views data regarding one’s workplace. A campaign to raise awareness about keeping company data safe in addition to our own individual information and data should be undertaken so that future online safety is ensured in this technologically advancing world.

References:

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/25/opinion/nocera-the-wild-west-of-privacy.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=1

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/facebook-privacy-so-confusing-even-zuckerberg-family-photo-isnt-private/320164/

https://www.javaworld.com/article/2101287/survey-reveals-generation-gap-in-attitudes-about-security-and-privacy.html