Privacy in the Digital Age

After watching TED talks about privacy, I was disturbed by the information I learned. I have realized that the government intrudes on our privacy in various ways, which makes me highly uncomfortable. What bothered me the most was the fact the government has massive quantities of data that are very likely to contain images of my license plate and car, as well as information on where I have been recently and who I have been with. This is a massive invasion of people's privacy, and I believe the government has a responsibility to prioritize citizens' safety and privacy. 

How Do These Issues Affect Me and My Loved Ones?

Knowing that the government or corporations can track anyone's location, listen to their conversations, and monitor their online behavior is unsettling to me. What would happen if my car or phone data fell into the wrong hands? My family and friends could be targeted simply because they match a profile or are misinterpreted. Knowing the government can access detailed surveillance data undermines my trust in institutions that are supposed to be there to protect me. For example, my friends or family could be concerned about attending protests due to fears of being added to a "watch list." The fourth TED talk I watched brought up the devastating effects of having intimate moments shared without consent. This is especially relevant to my generation and friends, who may share personal content digitally. It’s a real threat to mental health and also personal safety.

How Should the Government Take Action?

In my opinion, the government should enforce stricter regulations limiting data collection, storage, and sharing. I also believe that license plate reader data or protest attendance lists should be deleted after a period of time. The government should also have to disclose what information they are collecting, why, and how that information is being used. Laws against revenge porn should also be stricter. The speaker during the TED talk said fines for revenge porn in our country only average around five hundred dollars, which I find absolutely ridiculous. Victims need a way to have content removed, and offenders should face serious legal consequences. Corporations should also not be legally allowed to access, read, or monetize private communications like emails. Data collected for one purpose, like service improvement, should not be able to be repurposed for advertising or other commercial uses. 

What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves?

To protect ourselves from invasions of privacy, we can adopt proactive habits. For example, we can regularly check device app permissions to ensure that apps can only access necessary data. Additionally, turning off location services, Bluetooth, and unnecessary app permissions when not in use may limit unnecessary data collection. We can also advocate for change, which is equally as important. Consider joining organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) that fight for digital privacy rights. We can also petition lawmakers to strengthen privacy regulations and hold corporations accountable for misuse.