How the internet has changed the meaning of privacy

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How the internet has changed the meaning of privacy
One notable occurrence in the twenty-first century was the unlimited technological advancements that entirely changed people’s lives (Best 28). The introduction of computerized systems, phones, and other internet-enabled devices has made communication, data storage, and money transactions easier and faster. Despite the highlighted benefits, technology is to blame for some detrimental social and economic consequences. Best affirmed that the internet has eventually contributed to cyber-crime, online bullying, and lack of anonymity and privacy of the users (29). Internet users should be aware of the potential threat to privacy when they use and disclose personal information on the internet; everyone is legally entitled to privacy.
Mobile phones have transformed the world of communication. Moreover, smartphones enable mobile subscribers to access the internet anywhere conveniently. However, mobile devices have infringed upon people’s privacy without their knowledge. Tene noted that Global Positioning System (GPS), IP location, and a wireless position had smoothened the path to using sophisticated applications to track the location of individuals and avenues such as restaurants (18). In essence, someone can quickly detect the location of their friends, family, and even enemies by tracking their devices. Although such developments may be useful to the intelligence service unit to track convicts, it utterly denies other people their right to privacy regarding their location and probably, their actions (Tene 19).

The Internet has made it cost less and straightforward to search people’s information. Google, the most vibrant and dominant search engine, enables curious neighbors to get to your profile within minutes (Tene 22). Information such as gender, academic qualification, and work experience can easily and instantly be accessed from platforms such as LinkedIn. Albeit such information may, if obtained by promising employees, grant you a job, privacy is not guaranteed because google never cares who accesses your data and the reason behind it.
On the same note, Dhar confirmed that internet users are exposed to novel privacy risks (123). Individuals who surf the net are sometimes unaware that their browsing history is recorded and stored in a database. The search engine operators and third parties can trace what you were browsing and use this for legal or personal reasons. A recent devastating development that is still fresh in the minds of many Britons is the unexpected firing of Damian Green, a United Kingdom minister. The minister allegedly forgot to delete his browsing history, and pornographic content was found in the computer entitled to him in the parliamentary office (Dhar 125).
Facebook remains one of the leading social platforms that provides people, especially the youth, a fertile ground to make friends and socialize (Young 266). When joining Facebook, users are expected to give personal information not limited to, their names, age, their location, relationship status and academic qualifications. The personal information can be accessed by other Facebook user and employers despite the privacy settings which are unreliable (Young 266). During interview sessions, you will be surprised when the panel asks why you haven’t commented or changed your Facebook profile picture for over ten years yet you claim you are very social in your CV.
Facebook will help you determine the age of your friends and whether they are single, engaged or married. Most youths are compelled to reveal more personal information, including providing pictures, for sexual intimacy. In 2007, Beacon was launched by Facebook (Young 271). The service was expected to notify any of your Facebook friends when you buy an online ticket, a meal, or a book with the aim of advertising. Although the services quickly gained fame, it attracted numerous complaints due to privacy infringement. Facebook was not only forced to withdraw the service but also pay $9.5 million as a digital trust fund to educate the youth about online privacy (Young 272).
The Internet has undeniably proved beneficial to the current generation. Besides improving intelligence information collection, the internet has also made it easier to communicate, transact money, store data, socialize, and make it possible to avail resume to potential employers (Tene 26). Nonetheless, internet use has adversely impacted on users’ privacy. Unauthorised persons can easily trace your location, access and retrieve personal information, and use browsing history for legal reasons. Internet users should be aware of the potential threat to privacy when they use and disclose personal information on the internet; everyone is legally entitled to privacy.
Works cited
Best, Paul, Roger Manktelow, and Brian Taylor. “Online communication, social media and adolescent well-being: A systematic narrative review.” Children and Youth Services Review 41 (2014): 27-36.
Dhar, S. (2018). Mobile Application Development-Current Technologies. 102-135
Tene, O. (2011). Privacy: The new generations. International Data Privacy Law, 1(1), 15-27.
Young, Alyson L., and Anabel Quan-Haase. “Information revelation and internet privacy concerns on social network sites: a case study of Facebook.” Proceedings of the fourth international conference on Communities and technologies. ACM, 2009. 265-274