Writing about privacy is something I have thought about doing many times. Today is the day.
I have been a devoted Internet user practically from its inception. It is an easy way to access information and learn about all kinds of topics of interest. However, I also find that the Internet has resulted in rampant violations of privacy by its millions of users whether they are government institutions, corporations or individuals.
I saw a video last week about a woman that had an angry reaction towards an employee of a transportation company. Clearly she did not handle this interaction in a constructive and graceful manner. Her name is now all over the Internet. The worst part about this incident is that there are no standards to prevent her being maligned and slandered by people that use anonymous handles to speak their mind or just spread stories about her. What resulted were insults about her nationality and her appearance that seem endless. Very few comments have been constructive. Today I read an article in the New York Times about someone being maligned by a competitor online. While he sued the site for damaging his reputation, the court apparently upheld the notion that because the competitor owned the site but didn't write the content, he did not have grounds to sue. At least the site apparently was shut down but that was after publishing what the plaintiff stated were lies about him and his employees.
It is telling of how little we have evolved as human beings and tools like the Internet are making that more apparent. Where is compassion in all of this?
Regarding the video of this woman, what she said or how she said it is not the issue. That is between the transportation authorities and her. What is disturbing is the intrusion of having someone video tape you at a most unflattering moment and having that video go viral. And having the entire world weighing in and sharing information about you.
What is privacy? To me, it's those areas of your life that you choose not to share. It doesn't matter what these are, it's about being able to keep something to yourself for whatever reasons. There is less and less of that nowadays. Someone that is able to video tape me at whim should be illegal. I know that would not make You Tube very pleased but there have to be some laws to protect one's privacy. I have nothing against broadcasting with the proper level of permission from individuals.
Per www.privacy.org, the White House website now uses cookies that track users for up to two years (used to be single-session cookies which were deleted when users closed their browsers). There is no way to opt out of receiving cookies. This is despite the fact that (also per an article in www.privacy.org) a "new survey from the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California found that almost half of Americans over 16 who use the Internet are worried about businesses watching their online activities. Only 38% worried about the Government doing so". I am generally worried about anybody infringing on my privacy. Anybody. And that includes someone I know going through my drawers or reading my papers at home.
The Internet is a tool that provides everyone with a lot of power. The US Senate (under the sponsorship of Senator Leahy) is proposing a bill that doesn't quite answer my privacy concerns but it's a start. However, considering there is not proper legislation to truly protect privacy, the alternative is to hope that people are compassionate and graceful to those whose mistakes become glaringly obvious to the world as a result of the Internet.
While the Internet gives each one of us a lot of power there is even more power within each and every one of us. Using that power to help others and to shed the light around us is a way to make this world a better place. I'm determined that if I make a comment on a blog or an article online it will be with that purpose in mind.
I have been a devoted Internet user practically from its inception. It is an easy way to access information and learn about all kinds of topics of interest. However, I also find that the Internet has resulted in rampant violations of privacy by its millions of users whether they are government institutions, corporations or individuals.
I saw a video last week about a woman that had an angry reaction towards an employee of a transportation company. Clearly she did not handle this interaction in a constructive and graceful manner. Her name is now all over the Internet. The worst part about this incident is that there are no standards to prevent her being maligned and slandered by people that use anonymous handles to speak their mind or just spread stories about her. What resulted were insults about her nationality and her appearance that seem endless. Very few comments have been constructive. Today I read an article in the New York Times about someone being maligned by a competitor online. While he sued the site for damaging his reputation, the court apparently upheld the notion that because the competitor owned the site but didn't write the content, he did not have grounds to sue. At least the site apparently was shut down but that was after publishing what the plaintiff stated were lies about him and his employees.
It is telling of how little we have evolved as human beings and tools like the Internet are making that more apparent. Where is compassion in all of this?
Regarding the video of this woman, what she said or how she said it is not the issue. That is between the transportation authorities and her. What is disturbing is the intrusion of having someone video tape you at a most unflattering moment and having that video go viral. And having the entire world weighing in and sharing information about you.
What is privacy? To me, it's those areas of your life that you choose not to share. It doesn't matter what these are, it's about being able to keep something to yourself for whatever reasons. There is less and less of that nowadays. Someone that is able to video tape me at whim should be illegal. I know that would not make You Tube very pleased but there have to be some laws to protect one's privacy. I have nothing against broadcasting with the proper level of permission from individuals.
Per www.privacy.org, the White House website now uses cookies that track users for up to two years (used to be single-session cookies which were deleted when users closed their browsers). There is no way to opt out of receiving cookies. This is despite the fact that (also per an article in www.privacy.org) a "new survey from the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California found that almost half of Americans over 16 who use the Internet are worried about businesses watching their online activities. Only 38% worried about the Government doing so". I am generally worried about anybody infringing on my privacy. Anybody. And that includes someone I know going through my drawers or reading my papers at home.
The Internet is a tool that provides everyone with a lot of power. The US Senate (under the sponsorship of Senator Leahy) is proposing a bill that doesn't quite answer my privacy concerns but it's a start. However, considering there is not proper legislation to truly protect privacy, the alternative is to hope that people are compassionate and graceful to those whose mistakes become glaringly obvious to the world as a result of the Internet.
While the Internet gives each one of us a lot of power there is even more power within each and every one of us. Using that power to help others and to shed the light around us is a way to make this world a better place. I'm determined that if I make a comment on a blog or an article online it will be with that purpose in mind.
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