CI 4312: Privacy & Our Protection

These days, we use our technology to do almost everything. People use the internet to buy groceries, talk to relatives, pay tuition, and show pictures of a most recent adventure to family and friends. These are all fairly basic actions that millions of people perform online each day. However, what most people do not think about, is after many of these actions are performed, you and your family’s faces are now out there for everyone to see, your bank account information as well, the type of food you eat everyday, and your private conversations between people you care about. These reasons are why privacy on the internet are so important. Some of the most important aspects of your everyday life, such as your loved ones and access to your bank, are out there on many platforms. If it wasn’t for privacy laws and settings, people could completely infiltrate your life, and use it to their benefit.

Much of the privacy laws and settings that we come across everyday have to do with the use of algorithms. The use of algorithms and the potential positive and negative consequences of them are discussed in our reading of the article “Code-Dependent: Pros and Cons of the Algorithm Age” from the Pew Research Center. Personally, I believe that there are many concerning things that lie ahead that come with the use of algorithms. One of the most concerning things to me is the creation of a larger divide between citizens. In a time where tensions in the United States are higher than ever, this is something that is very important to think about. For example, let’s say that we have two people, one is considered far right-wing and the other is far left-wing. On their internet pages, the person who is far left is going to be fed with news articles and advertisements that feed into their left-wing agenda so that they become more involved in their particular beliefs, and same goes with the right side. With each of them only being exposed to their particular beliefs, they are going to think that they are always the correct side, because it is what “they saw on the news”. This has been a large factor in facebook and twitter within the last year, and has sparked millions of controversies and divides around the U.S. This may get worse as algorithms are pushed for more use, and as the political climate becomes more intense here in America. This is just one way that algorithms are concerning for me. Some others include taking jobs from real citizens, algorithmically organized system bias, and loss of judgment when decision making because many other opinions are being blocked from you. Even though there are some ways that algorithms will improve our way of life, I think our society is too fragile right now to head in the direction that we are going with this technology.

There are many scary examples of algorithms and privacy settings in our world today, many of which are related to some of the most popular companies and social media sites like Apple, Facebook, and Twitter. One particular case study that stood out to me, and that is true but particularly twisted, is when Facebook targeted troubled teens for particular advertising campaigns. According to The Guardian, they state “Facebook showed advertisers how it has the capacity to identify when teenagers feel “insecure”, “worthless” and “need a confidence boost”, according to a leaked documents based on research quietly conducted by the social network.” (2017). Some advertisements that were fed to these teenagers included weight loss plans, fitness brands, and body confidence slogans. It is a scary reality that we live in today where such large companies can stare into our personal lives and feelings, and direct them towards other companies in order for them to make a profit. This is something that had never crossed my mind today, and it is sick to think that large companies can profit off of feelings of sadness and depression.

This week’s readings were eye opening, and in many ways, terrifying. Privacy settings and algorithms are definitely something that is not talked about enough, particularly with students and teenagers. I have been using social media for close to 10 years, and this has just recently been brought to my attention. I am definitely going to use my new found knowledge to inform others on this topic, as I believe it is a very important aspect to our everyday life.