Understanding Privacy
The world has changed since my childhood, it seems like everything's gone digital. Just recently, my father needed to renew his driver's license,
and I found myself navigating through the online system to schedule an
appointment. Providing his driver's license number and date of birth was a
requisite step in securing the appointment. In today's online world, privacy
matters more than ever. We're constantly bombarded with requests for personal
information, whether it's through apps, websites, or even our own devices. Despite
our concerns about data privacy, many of us still readily hand over our
personal information in exchange for convenience or access to essential
services, much like I did when scheduling my dad's license renewal appointment.
Source Spotlight
The article, “Do You Know How Much Private Information
You Give Away Every Day?” by Manoush Zomorodi, raises awareness about the
extent of personal data shared daily, highlighting the importance of privacy
concerns. It suggests several practical steps to reclaim control over our
digital privacy. From using unique passwords and encrypted communication tools
to minimizing our online footprint. I found it surprising how extensive the
data collection is and how much our activities are monitored and turned into
profits by large tech companies. It's unsettling to realize how easily our
privacy can be compromised nowadays. So, what can we do about it? Well, let's
start with the idea of reading those lengthy Terms of Service agreements.
According to the article research, it would take about 76 hours a year to read
all the user agreements we meet. And even if we do manage to read them, declining
consent often translates to giving up access to essential tools we may need to
communicate or work.
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| Source: eavi.eu/infographic |
Amazon's Alexa has become a common presence in many homes,
promising convenience at the command of our voices. However, underneath its
friendly appearance, there are serious worries about privacy. The article, “The
Real Danger of Alexa Listening to Our Convos”, by Kara Alaimo talks about how Amazon listens to some
Alexa interactions to improve accuracy, raising worries about privacy invasion
and data misuse. It warns that personal data could be used for manipulation or
sold to third parties, highlighting the risk of breaches. Additionally, it stresses
the importance of awareness and safeguards against potential misuse of personal
data gathered by technology companies like Amazon. The news about
Amazon's handling of Alexa recordings really brings home the importance of
privacy in our everyday lives. The idea that our interactions at home could be
watched and potentially exploited is upsetting. In response to the news of
potential privacy breaches, my initial reaction was to switch off my Alexa
device. But after giving it some more thought, I started to wonder if that's
even enough. I mean, look at our smartphones, they're practically glued to us
24/7. Like Alexa, they serve as virtual assistants, with features like
voice-activated commands and constant connectivity to the internet. This
constant proximity prompts a troubling question: are our smartphones always
tuned in, silently listening to our every word? This is a clear reminder of the risks that come with digital tech.
With everything being
online, it's important to keep our personal information safe to prevent it from
falling into the wrong hands. The third article I read shares ten actionable tips to
enhance our online privacy and security that I would like to share with you. Of
the ten tips provided, some may already be familiar to you, but they are
certainly worth emphasizing once more.
1. Browse in Anonymous Mode: Shield your browsing habits by utilizing
private browsing modes such as Incognito or Private Windows to obstruct cookies
and thwart online tracking.
2. Switch to Privacy-Focused Search Engines: Opt for search engines like DuckDuckGo or
Startpage, which prioritize user privacy by abstaining from data collection for
targeted advertising.
3. Utilize End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Apps: Safeguard your conversations from prying eyes
by opting for messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, offering end-to-end
encryption.
4. Employ a VPN for Protection: Encrypt your internet connection and prevent
data snooping by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by employing a Virtual
Private Network (VPN).
5. Enhance Browser Security with Extensions: Strengthen your browser's defenses against
malicious threats by installing extensions like HTTPS Everywhere, Ghostery, and
AdBlock.
6. Avoid Public Storages for Private Information: Steer clear of storing sensitive data on
public platforms like Google Docs or Dropbox to thwart unauthorized access.
7. Be Cautious on Wi-Fi Networks: Exercise caution when transmitting sensitive
data over public Wi-Fi networks and consider using a VPN to encrypt your
connections for added security.
8. Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Create complex passwords with letters,
numbers, and characters.
9. Avoid Website Tracking: Take control of your cookies settings to
curtail websites' ability to access your browsing data without explicit
consent.
10. Adjust Social Media Privacy Settings: Regularly review and adjust privacy settings
to limit personal info sharing.
These articles served as a reminder of the growing
awareness around privacy rights in today's online world. They reveal how our
data is collected and used by companies without always asking permission, prompting reflection on the ethics of
online privacy and how we can protect ourselves.Top of Form
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the 10 tips to increase privacy. While we may not be able to control this entirely, we certainly can take steps to become more secure in what is shared about us.
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica! Your initial consideration understanding privacy really intrigued me, especially your personal story relating to the experience of renewing your father's drivers license. All throughout my childhood I remember my parents warning me against sharing my social security number, my address, my phone number, my name, my mother's maiden name, my favorite color; I could go on and on. However, this is all information I have to give up to my bank, to all my jobs, to hospitals, for taxes, etc. All this information that was meant to stay private is everywhere; perhaps not in full public view, but it would not be hard to find it. Understanding privacy is understanding that full privacy is not possible, not in the day and age of easy record access.
ReplyDeleteHello Veronica,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that websites and apps nowadays ask for a lot of our private information and we must provide it if we want to continue using their platforms, or like your example, make license renewal appointments. Similar to you, I think that turning off our Alexa device might not be enough to secure our privacy. I have started unplugging my Echo dots to ensure that they are not listening to my private conversations. And after reading your post, I agree with you that our phones could be listening to us all the time too. Which is scary to think of because we have them with us all the time. Maybe I should start leaving my phone in a different room when I’m having a private conversation, but then again, laptops, TVs and other smart appliances could be listening in too. In my own research on privacy, I read about how people can hack into a laptop’s camera and see what you’re doing and they can do this without you knowing because they don’t turn the camera light on. So may I suggest to you to physically put something in front of your laptop’s camera to help increase your privacy. Ever since reading about it, I have covered my laptop’s camera at home and at work, just to be safe.