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.

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."