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cortex
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"Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? 1
#14903880 - 08/10/11 09:46 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I've been seeing more news reports and posts on message boards & Facebook lately concerning waning "digital privacy", and it's got me thinking about what we are actually losing--and gaining--with the information that companies like Google and Facebook are collecting about us. As the internet continues to grow out of adolescence and becomes more and more tightly woven into everything we do, can we expect less and less anonymity and privacy? Are anonymity and privacy mutually exclusive? If our lives are to become connected so integrally with the global information network, when does "digital privacy" become just "privacy"?
I think that as the internet continues to weave itself more tightly into society, in order to take advantage the benefits of global connectivity and instantaneous information sharing, we are inevitably going to have to let go of many of our antiquated concepts of privacy. By becoming part of the Collective (to use a slightly... disturbing noun) we have to be more open to sharing information that identifies us.
More importantly, however, we have new generations growing up with smartphones, social networks, and constant connectivity. These people may not hold so dear many of the regressions some people hold so dearly regarding privacy, and as they grow up and become our future lawmakers we may see more weight given to expanding society's integration with the internet at the expense of personal privacy.
So what exactly can we hope to gain and prepare to lose as we become more dependent upon the global information network?
I'm really just trying to open a discussion on digital privacy so I've posed more questions than conclusions. What are some of your views on the current state of affairs, and where do you think we are headed?
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lucy84
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Re: "Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? [Re: cortex]
#14904009 - 08/10/11 10:16 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I don't see any good in having gmail and Facebook scan my interests and conversations to target advertisements to me. One of the reasons I don't bother getting a digital converter box for my tv is because I enjoy not having pepsi, Nike and taco bell adds flashing in my face. I don't need my email account scanning my messages to say "you talked about going on vacation. Heres links for discounts on airfare and hotels." hmmm I can have a computer scan my personal mail so I can just click right here to get a deal now or I could have my privacy and just spend an extra 15 seconds to type in priceline.com!
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cortex
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Re: "Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? [Re: lucy84]
#14904054 - 08/10/11 10:28 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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But see, Google's and FB's ads are precisely one of the benefits I see. Both feature ad's that are very unobtrusive, targeted, and (sometimes) actually useful. Before those, I was afraid the entire internet was going to be taken over by nothing pop-up ads and incredibly obnoxious flash banners and shit.
At least with Google adwords, they are just small blocks of text. No flashing gifs, no completely random garbage. They are also awesome if you are a business owner. When I was working for a local construction company I got dozens of leads through Google's adwords. They actually work, which is great if you are trying to advertise and it's a hell of a lot more than you can say for flash banners and pop-ups.
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badchad
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Re: "Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? [Re: cortex]
#14910778 - 08/12/11 11:08 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I think people have difficulty reconciling a "personal" digital space, that is also public.
Facebook is supposed to be "you". It's your space, your profile, and your details. People tend to view these things as personal, and therefore "private". in reality though they become very public things once digitized in their current format.
You wouldn't advertise that you sell or use drugs. Most people certainly wouldn't scream about illegal activities in public. However, we're offended when the cops search facebook looking for info.
In time, I think people will take different views on the digital realm and they'll view digital spaces differently.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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lucy84
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Re: "Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? [Re: badchad]
#14911801 - 08/12/11 03:09 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I have my FB set up so that only my friends can see my info and photos. It is my personal space set up so that friends and family can see what's going on in my life and I can see what they're up to. I should be able to post anything that I would be willing to tell them face to face on facebook. The police should not be able to look at my FB page unless they have reason to believe that there is information linked to a crime I have comitted on there. Reason to believe being something along the lines of one of my friends saying "hey officers, she talk about doing such and such on her FB and I'm worried." Just like they can't search your house unless it can be linked to a crime.
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giza

Registered: 08/25/09
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Re: "Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? [Re: lucy84]
#14912010 - 08/12/11 03:52 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I can see a type of ID card slot made for computers, where in order to gain access to the internet you will have to swipe your ID.
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cortex
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Re: "Digital Privacy": How valuable is it? [Re: badchad]
#14917959 - 08/13/11 09:53 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
badchad said: In time, I think people will take different views on the digital realm and they'll view digital spaces differently.
I think in time, the difference between the "digital realm" and "the real world" will become more and more indistinct. We are almost certainly headed for unimaginable integration with technology and the internet with every facet of our lives.
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