Is there such a thing as privacy online? Part II (March 29, 2009)

I like quotes. Quote #1: “How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork. It was even conceivable that they watched everybody all the time. But at any rate they could plug in your wire whenever they wanted to. You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized.”— George Orwell

I like questions. Question #1: "Is there such a thing as privacy online?"
I like facts. Fact #1: “The Internet is Public.” (Fact from Don't overestimate privacy of online information)

I like using facts to answer questions.
Q: "Is there such a thing as privacy online?"
A: “No. The Internet is Public.”

I like definitions. Definition # 1: Privacy is "the 'right to be left alone' or the 'right to control information about oneself.' ...privacy is a concept that embodies a number of ideas, including confidentiality, anonymity and solitude."
Definition # 2: ‘Communications privacy’ is defined as "the right to expect that a letter, email or telephone conversation will remain confidential - that it will not be intercepted, read or listened to by a third party
Definition #3: ‘Information privacy’ is defined as the right to "be able to interact with government and commercial entities and provide them with personal information without losing control over subsequent uses of that information" and without such information being used unfairly. (Definitions from The Center for Democracy and Technology website)

I like observations. Observation #1: “Privacy is a basic human right.” (CDT site)
Observation #2: “Web users are concerned about their online privacy. (CDT survey) Observations #2: “Few individuals do all they can to protect their privacy online.” (CDT survey)

If online privacy is a naive assumption, a false hope that held on to can leave the user exposed and open to potential harm, and Internet users are concerned about their privacy, then why do so few take the steps necessary to protect their online privacy? The CDT and many sites offer a comprehensive list of ways web users can protect their privacy online. Yet, few people take advantage of this information fully. While the topic of online privacy is much discussed, it seems comprehensive protective measures lag behind the discussion for most Internet users, myself included. Why is this so?

I like lists: List #1: “Why do web users take too few steps to fully protect their online privacy?”
1. Limited awareness
2. Limited education (facts, skills and understanding)
3. Limited time
4. ‘Trust in the fates’ or the kindness of strangers

As educators, I feel are job is to raise awareness, provide the necessary education and time so that our students do not need to put trust in their security online in the hands of the fates or the kindness of strangers.

I would like to end this blog with one more quote from the CDT website, or Quote #2: "Without privacy, freedom of expression is chilled and dissent becomes risky. A sense of being watched is deeply corrosive of democracy and human development. Privacy is also one of the building blocks of trust in the security and confidentiality of communications and sensitive data - a trust that is essential to e-commerce and full realization of the potential benefits of the Information Society."

Question #2: “Are you doing all you can to protect your privacy online?”

See the CDT site for further reading on the topics from Leslie Harris, President and CEO of CDT, for the Huffington Post (Reports & Articles on CDT) as well as the CDT's Guide to Online Privacy.