Week 5
The biggest impression left on me from this unit is the lack of privacy we have in the digital world. It is alarming to know every click adds to data collection. It leaves a feeling of apprehension to know that somewhere out in a digital cloud there a profile is being built based solely what someone accesses online. It was interesting to realize that we we view leads to more of the same in the algorithms suggested to us. I have an eerie sense of being “spied” on. As technology continues to advance, the biggest concern is not just that data is being collected but that individuals have little to no agency in how their data is used. If there are not stronger privacy protections and regulations, big data will continue to compromise private liberties, making it almost impossible for people to have control over their digital lives. Constant surveillance creates an eerie effect, making people more likely to self-censor their actions and speech. It is a sad reality that corporations and governments obtain and use vast amounts of personal data under the guise of security.
- Wallace, M. (n.d.). The Ethics of Collecting Data [Video]. TED.
- Greenwald, G. (n.d.). Why Privacy Matters [Video]. TED.
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