Blog Post #5: Privacy Online and Off

 Issues of privacy online affect everyone in today’s world. Anyone can track phone calls or hack into text messages. Law enforcement can use Stingray technology to locate cellphones inside private homes. Sensitive information about personal lives can be overheard and ruin social relationships. Lack of privacy can even result in financial consequences like identity theft or fraud when a criminal learns what your credit card number, security codes, or account passwords are. 

I use apps and websites daily that collect my personal data. For example, TikTok will show me specific videos according to an algorithm that tracks what types of content I like and how long I watch videos in that style. Oftentimes, an Instagram ad will pop up not even five minutes after I mentioned something on the phone. These occurrences feel like being stalked. It is annoying and creepy to see all the ways my privacy is at risk from technology.

The government can accuse you of a crime that you did not commit. Or they can take very little information of what was done and make it seem bigger than it was. Government can invade your privacy. No one would watch me 24/7 in real life, but government officials have access to my online life any time of day. They can monitor my social media accounts, check into my banking account, control all of my personal information and who it gets shared with.

To prevent invasions of privacy, we can use encrypted apps and messaging services where others cannot look into conversations or what was said. You can try to create legislation. Even though there may be challenges to passing and enforcing laws about privacy online, it is still worth trying. This is especially true for examples like cyber harassment where people’s professional lives, personal relationships, and mental health get severely impacted. I think it was really interesting and useful to reflect on the dangers of the internet and being online. These TED Talk videos reminded me to make sure my personal information is as private as it can be online.