Online Privacy

There are countless videos addressing the topic of privacy, but some of the best are TED Talks, like the ones found here. And they cover vital concerns about privacy in the modern day. 

From physical surveillance to targeted advertising to digital blackmail, there are many things to be cognizant of in regard to personal privacy. None of which should be taken lightly or ignored, as each and every one will undoubtedly have direct impacts on each of our lives.

Here are some important things to keep in mind!

#1) Facial Recognition & Surveillance

Facial recognition is a rapidly growing aspect of the digital world we live in. Phones and other devices have the ability to recognize and store facial information with incredible accuracy.

While this can be used for good, such as a protective measure for accessing sensitive information, it can also be used negatively. Facial recognition presents a unique threat to privacy, as there is little stopping private entities or even the government from getting their hands on facial recognition data.

Surveillance cameras can now be equipped with facial recognition software as well, along with several other features that can track aspects of an individual's life like never before. Where and when you drive your care, the stores you've gone into, if you walk across the street where you're not supposed to, and so much more.

Naturally this presents a great opportunity to really crack down on crime and other unfortunate aspects of society. However, it also severely threatens people's privacy and could easily give far too much personal information to anyone willing to work to find it.

#2) Personalized Marketing & Third-Party Data

Essentially anything and everything you do online is tracked, stored, then used to personalize your online experience. This is especially true in regard to advertising, wherein whatever you look up or digest online is used to market things tailored to you.

This is a truly double-edged sword, as it allows for both companies and consumers to have an easier time fulfilling their desires. Companies only have to pay to advertise to people who actually want their products and consumers only get advertisements for products they actually want.

That being said, in order to achieve this personalized marketing, your data must be acquired by one source and sold to another. All of the data about your online activity is constantly being sold to third-party entities so that advertisements and more can be personalized to you.

Unfortunately, there is little to stop that same data from being sold to third-parties that have dark intentions as well.

#3) Digital Footprint

At the epitome of concern when it comes to privacy, especially online privacy, is the concept of an individual's digital footprint. Whatever you say or do online is stored somewhere, forever, and can be used against you by anybody who wishes to look deep enough into that digital footprint. 

Whether it be internet scammers or a stalker or even the government, the information that you've chosen to indulge in or put online, no matter how long ago it was, could be dredged up at any time. That's why it is beyond crucial that everyone takes extra care in their online activities, as they are heavily monitored at all times, and that information can never truly be expunged. 

So, in our modern digital world, it is of undeniable importance that every person becomes aware and knowledgeable of the technology that is arising every day. Everyone must learn about the dangers and the benefits alike.

Then it becomes the responsibility of those who are informed to inform others. It becomes our responsibility to protect ourselves and those around us. But above all, it becomes our responsibility to speak up for our privacy, lest it is stolen from underneath us before we even realize it's gone.