Is there such a thing as privacy online? Part I

After reading the recommending readings this week and last I would say the answer to this week's essential question is or should be a resounding 'No.' As clearly stated in the second recommended reading for this week, Don't overestimate privacy of online information, "The Internet is public". This message was also clearly (and cleverly) expressed through the video allegory of a FB friend and his friend coming to your house and graffitiing the 'wall' of your house. To expect privacy in a public venue is foolish at best and dangerous at worst. Both recommended readings and the video this week stressed the inherent lack of privacy online and the subsequent importance of vigilance in regards to our actions online in order to protect our (and our friends') identity, reputation, character and future prospects. As an adult, the reference to identity theft in the second article was concerning; and as a new FaceBook user (one-week and counting), the references to FaceBook in the video and third recommended reading, Beware: the Internet could own your future, were of further concern. However, as stated in my earlier blog, we need to move beyond fear (with our students and personally) and be proactive about finding our voice (our 'brand') in this new digital landscape, armed with knowledge and skill at protecting and promoting ourself and others.

An Internet search found these additional readings on the topic that others may find informative:

EFF's Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy -- Self-explanatory title. Some excerpted useful tidbits:

• "If you are "required" to give an e-mail address to use a site (but will not be required to check your mail for some kind of access code they send you), you can use "someuser@example.com" (example.com is a non-existent site, set up by the Internet standards to be used as an example that will never accidentally coincide with anyone's real e-mail address, which is always a danger if you just make up one off the top of your head.)"
  
• Check out tip 8) "Be conscious of web security" if you don't know the difference between "https://" and "http://" and secure URL (Web address) lines.
  
• Check out tip 1) "Do not reveal personal information inadvertently" if you want to make your web browser and "Internet defaults" programs anonymous and prevent inadvertent disclosure of personal information.

Your guide to online privacy -- Provides detailed background and current issues in regards to the issue of online privacy, with specifics on companies like Google and FaceBook. Concludes with a helpful list of resources. Key excerpts:

• "In the U.S., the 'right to privacy' is not enshrined in the Bill of Rights, but it has long been a critical issue for many Americans. ... American courts and legislation have had a mixed record in protecting privacy, curbing data-sharing in medical records and other areas, and regulating data collection from children online. But there has never been comprehensive national legislation in the U.S. to protect people's personal and financial information online, or standards for the way businesses collect, save and share data."
• "Google should be given credit for producing a video series explaining online privacy on its various services -- from Gmail to Google Docs -- found on a YouTube channel."