As the world becomes more digitalized, the line between personal and public information online begins to blur. On a daily basis, we use a number of social media platforms and mobile applications completely free of charge, however, there is something very valuable that we give in exchange – our personal data. This is why the issue of online privacy and surveillance has been extremely relevant and highly discussed in recent years.

Some of the main concerns, when it comes to online privacy, are related to hacking, tracking, misuse of personal data and identity theft. In 2017, about 143 million US customers had their personal information (such as Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and in some cases driver’s license and credit card numbers) compromised due to hacking into the system of Equifax, leaving those people vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. (BBC, 2017)

As a result of such instances and threats of unauthorized access to private information, people’s concern seems to grow. However, according to Foxton (2015), people are not concerned enough to change their online behaviour, for example by switching their search engine to one that offers untraceable searches and by using services that offer a lot more privacy.

And if by privacy we mean that “others have limited access to one’s personal affairs” (Brey, 2005), then this leads to assume that the idea of online privacy is very fragile, as everything we post online could potentially stay there forever and also can be accessed and used by others, whether that is through legal or illegal and not-so-well intentioned actions.

All in all, any private information that is shared on the Internet is to an extend no longer private, as “the very concept of privacy seems to go against social networking, the essence of which is sharing what you’re doing to other people” (Foxton, 2015).

 

References:

BBC (2017). Massive Equifax data breach hits 143 million [online], BBC [Viewed 05 January 2019]. Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41192163

Brey, P. (2006). Editorial introduction: Surveillance and privacy. Ethics and Information Technology, 7(4), 183-184.

Foxton, W. (2015). Do you care about privacy enough to pay for Google? [online], The Telegraph [Viewed 05 January 2019]. Available from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet-security/11507053/Do-you-care-about-privacy-enough-to-pay-for-Google.html