Privacy

 Impact

Though the internet era has made our life so much simpler, it has also invaded our privacy. I understood how much data about us is gathered, many times without our knowledge or consent, after watching the TED talks. We are being monitored whenever we search for something, use an app, or make an online transaction. My friends and family are concerned because most of them have no idea of the possible risks. Sharing personal details on social media, for instance, may not be harmful, but businesses frequently utilize it for targeted advertisements or may resale it to third-party individuals without the knowledge of users.

Government's Role

Governments are at the core of ensuring our privacy. Because privacy legislation is outdated, businesses tend to exploit personal information without serious repercussions. There should be stricter legislation to make sure that businesses are open and forthcoming with information that they gather and utilize. People should be granted more discretion, like opting out of information gathering where feasible. Businesses would be more inclined to act responsibly if there were clear privacy policies and actual repercussions for violations.

Individual Actions to Maintain Privacy

Although there is a role for government to play, we also need to take responsibility to make sure that we are safeguarding our own personal information. We should be careful about what apps we download, and not over-sharing on social media. Those two things alone can go a long way to helping keep our personal data secure. It's really critical to from time to time check the privacy settings on our devices and be mindful of what information we're sharing. However, even with all the simple precautions it's not guaranteed that you are maintaining privacy.