Facebook

 Cyberspace, Data Collection, Internet, Privacy, Surveillance  No Responses »
Oct 112011
 

Facebook has been in the news quite a lot lately.  Whether it be ‘tracking cookies claims’ or a story on ‘Facebook’s power’ they seem to be the story of the moment.

There is no doubt that Facebook is a powerful organisation.  It knows a lot about us.  It collects and stores massive amounts of data on the daily interests and behaviour of its users.  Obviously there are concerns with Facebook.  However, the way some people talk about them, you think that they are forcing us to give up our information.  They are not.  It is information that we willingly and easily give up without thinking twice about it.  Whether this is a good or a bad thing is up for debate, although some people think it is negative.

Privacy in the 21st century is being fractured.  Walk along most CBD streets and you will be filmed through CCTV; use an ATM and you leave an electronic footprint; connect to the Internet and you leave another footprint.  Each action creates a link to your electronic profile.  Use your Woolworths Everyday Rewards card when you shop and information on what you buy, when you buy and how much you spend is stored.  No one is up and arms about this information being collected.  Why is this the case?  What is it about Facebook that creates so much negativity and moral panic?

The privacy debate is a complex issue.  However, I must say I am more concerned with organisations that store my personal information that I don’t know about.  With Facebook, at least I have a choice not to participate or control the information I post.

 

What are your thoughts?

 Posted by on 11 October, 2011 at 11:52 am

Internet Companies Increasingly Handing over Data to Law Enforcement Agencies

 Data Collection, Privacy, Surveillance  3 Responses »
Oct 062011
 

In a recent post I discussed the issue of privacy and social media and whether privacy was being fractured in the social media space and the Internet in general.

Another interesting subject is data collection by Internet Companies such as Google and Twitter.  These Internet companies hold massive amounts of user information and its business models depend on collecting information so that they sell targeted advertising.  So it is not surprising that when governments come calling, these companies oblige as a recent article Web Firms Data Proves Irresistible To Law Enforcers points out. It is understandable why governments would be interested in obtaining these sources of information but should Internet companies hand over users’ information so readily?

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING

The recent British riots and the alleged use of social network sites to coordinate the riots shows how vulnerable users have becomes in terms of having control over their personal information.  There is no doubt that when crimes have been committed handing over of data is a logical thing to do.  But what about other instances?

More and more we are seeing the balance between private and public becoming more geared towards the public side and users are left with eroding rights.  In this electronic age of communication, is this a fair equation?  Or should users be afforded more protections?

I would love to hear your thought and opinions on the subject

 Posted by on 6 October, 2011 at 3:44 pm

Privacy and Social Media

 Privacy  No Responses »
Oct 032011
 

In yesterday’s The Sunday Age, an article “Facebook Sued Over Claims it Tracks Users’ Activity” (http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-sued-over-claims-it-tracks-users-activity-20111001-1l2qv.html),  states that Facebook is being sued by a group of users over claims that once they logged off, Facebook tracked their online activity.  This has to do with whether or not Facebook deletes tracking ‘cookies’ once users log off Facebook.  If ‘cookies’ are not deleted, users’ activities can be tracked as they surf the Internet.

This raises an interesting scenario in relation to privacy and social media.  Is privacy being fractured in the social media space and the Internet in general?  There is a belief by some that privacy online should be the same as the offline world in that the laws and principles that protect us offline should do the same online.  However, is this a realistic expectation?

Firstly, current laws are not keeping pace with technological advancements and there are massive privacy issues for the online space as the laws are failing to protect to the degree that people expect and have become accustomed to in the offline world.  Secondly, the offline and online spaces are completing diverse environments.  And thirdly, the Internet in general is an open space compounded more so in social media where personal details are there for everyone to see.

Is our assumption of privacy an outdated concept that doesn’t work online or should we expect privacy protection regardless of what space we are in?

This is an interesting question that is not easily resolved and one that we as a society will grapple with for sometime yet.

 

What does everyone think?  I would love to hear your comments and thoughts.

 Posted by on 3 October, 2011 at 4:26 pm
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