Privacy #4

 

The issues of having an “electronic tattoo” can affect me, my friends, and my family in so many ways because there is information about me on the internet that I do not have access to. Having private phone calls recorded without knowing is an invasion of privacy. Understanding that anything you say over the phone could be heard by another person or even by the government is a very uncomfortable feeling. To protect ourselves from an invasion of privacy, something we can do on a personal level is limit the accessibility social media apps have. For example, we can go to our settings app and turn off location services, notification settings, and the setting that prevents apps like Instagram from listening to keywords when you speak. Another way to protect ourselves is by limiting the information we share with friends when we are near a phone or talking over the phone.

As a marketing major, the positive impact of knowing data on what users are searching for helps with targeted marketing on social media platforms. However, on the downside, it highlights the reality of a digital footprint. Especially considering that cancel culture is a significant factor in today’s society. No matter what, if you are using technology, anything can be discovered on the internet. Every action taken on social media is printed in your digital footprint forever in the world of technology. Something posted years ago can resurface in the future in a negative way, so you always have to think before posting to your digital footprint.

The government believes that it has the right to access anyone's phones to check data. I believe that the government should only be able to access data on technology if there is a valid reason, such as a criminal investigation or safety concern. The only thing the government is supposed to be in charge of is keeping citizens safe. The government needs to know where to draw the line when it comes to invading people's privacy. People should also have the right to protections like those provided under the DMCA. Overall, to protect ourselves from invasions of privacy, we need to try and communicate less on technology and more in person. It is a human right to have privacy.