The Global and Ethical Scope of Technological Privacy Essay Example
Abstract
This article examines the ethical and global consequences of technological privacy, with a specific emphasis on data gathering and surveillance.
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the issue of technological privacy in modern society and its current handling both in the United States and internationally. It explores the significance of privacy, the legal and historical concepts surrounding it, and users' awareness of privacy policies and personal data usage. Additionally, it delves into the ethical, social, and global implications of technological privacy.
Introduction
Technological advancements have had a worldwide impact on individuals' lives as they increasingly conduct activities online such as bill payments, communication with colleagues, and entertainment. However, this transition has fundamentally altered people's perception of technological privacy and their control over private data and civil rights. While privacy involves freedom from surveilla
...nce by others and maintaining confidentiality regarding personal matters or information, the internet distorts this understanding.
The article examines the ethical and international aspects of protecting technological privacy in four countries: the United States, Australia, Iran, and China. It also investigates the local and global consequences of this matter.
Summary and Analysis
In contemporary society, individuals have easy access to information from any location due to advanced technology such as the Internet.
Although the internet grants anonymity, any information shared by users online can still be traced, including emails, social media comments, and browsing history. This leaves behind a traceable record referred to as their digital footprint. As users contribute increasing amounts of data to the internet on a daily basis, this digital footprint continues to expand rapidly. Domo revealed in 2017 the astounding volume of data generated every minute of the day.
In a single minute,
significant amount of data is generated on the internet. To put it into perspective, approximately 3.6 billion Google searches, 456 thousand tweets, 46,740 photos on Instagram, and 15 billion text messages are created during this short span of time. These statistics highlight the vast amount of information being communicated through online platforms. Consequently, privacy becomes crucial as individuals may possess sensitive personal data on the internet, which can inadvertently end up in the hands of unintended recipients or groups with potentially harmful intentions (Milne). The concept of privacy is intricate and multifaceted, as described by Strykowski, Borusiak, Piera?ski, and Romanowski (Sergiusz Strykowski).
Privacy is crucial for individuals to have personal space and freedom without limitations. For instance, a study with young Internet users found that they are willing and take measures to protect their online privacy.
Analysis of Technological Privacy in the United States
The topic of privacy regulation, particularly technological privacy, is currently under active discussion. The collection of online data by governments and corporations raises concerns among those who advocate for privacy as it can be seen as an intrusion or even deceptive. In the United States, current privacy regulations have not been updated since the last revisions of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA).
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA) expanded the government's authority to intercept telephone conversations but did not cover electronic communications (18 U.S.C. § 2510-22). The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) aimed to protect children's online privacy by imposing requirements on commercial websites and online service providers for children under 13 (Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked
Questions). Moreover, COPPA granted regulatory power to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Nevertheless, proposed bills aiming to modify Internet privacy regulations in the 1990s and 2000s encountered opposition from most legislators, resulting in their failure. Consequently, the FTC put forth legal reforms for Internet privacy regulation.
The USA Patriot Act of 2001, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks, had a significant impact on online privacy by expanding U.S. law enforcement's authority to investigate and intercept online activities like emails for the purpose of enhancing terrorism detection and prevention (The USA PATRIOT Act: Preserving Life and Liberty). Fast forward to April 2017 when President Trump signed S.J. Resolution 34 into law, which invalidated the broadband privacy rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission in December 2016. These rules were designed to empower consumers with greater control over how their personal information is collected and used by Internet Service Providers.
Despite various states proposing bills to safeguard the privacy rights of internet users, like the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 that incorporates regulations previously presented by the Federal Communications Commission in 2016, there have been no significant legal reforms concerning online privacy since the USA Patriot Act of 2001. Australia has also encountered challenges related to government surveillance of online user activities. This is particularly noticeable in law enforcement agencies' capacity to gather and utilize data from Internet Service Providers. Similar to the United States, Australia's legislation regarding law enforcement access to personal information on the internet is outdated and permits extensive freedom in retrieving and utilizing online data.
In 2016, the Australian Federal Police accessed and used journalists' metadata without warrants in order to investigate a
story published by The Guardian Australia. This incident raised concerns about the Telecommunications Amendment Act, which requires telecommunication companies to retain consumer metadata for two years. Under this law, law enforcement agencies have warrantless access to such data unless it involves journalists or their sources.
Many individuals are concerned about how technology collects and utilizes their personal information without their knowledge. A study on privacy preferences revealed that users are cautious when it comes to protecting their data but lack awareness of potential privacy risks like online intrusion and monitoring.
People express worry over online privacy, yet there is limited transparency regarding how governing agencies, corporations, or Internet Service Providers manage or utilize personal data.
Analysis of Technological Privacy in Iran
Iran is known for having a low degree of Internet freedom due to heavy content control, communication interference, and government monitoring.
Ethical Analysis of Technological Privacy
Outdated privacy laws and advancements in technology have made it easier for governments and corporations to gather and monitor individuals' online activities. This information is often used for selling purposes. Data-mining algorithms have been created to analyze massive amounts of data, benefiting marketing and federal industries (Ge, Su and Yu). However, there are situations where invasion of privacy can be justified and where it cannot.
Research has examined the significance of decision-making in data protection, yet issues persist with regulating the protection of online user data (Mantelero). The Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) conducted research indicating that the consequences of data processing extend beyond privacy concerns, impacting fundamental rights and causing prejudice against certain groups of individuals. The absence of regulatory standards affects the
use of data, including individual rights and freedoms, as well as biases in data processing. However, there are justifiable scenarios where utilizing accessible data is necessary, such as conducting criminal investigations or questioning potential terrorists or terrorist organizations.
The use of large data sets can have a positive impact by uncovering new information and identifying trends within communities. For instance, Google has been sharing search data with hospitals since 2011, enabling them to anticipate outbreaks of infectious diseases such as the flu and dengue fever by analyzing search patterns for relevant keywords. However, this constant surveillance raises concerns about privacy among individuals who feel their personal information is being monitored irrespective of their background or intentions. The unresolved legal reforms in countries like the United States reflect the ongoing debate surrounding these issues.
Conclusion
The rapid evolution of the Internet has made privacy and online security global concerns, yet international laws regarding Internet privacy are lagging behind.
Privacy concerns related to technology extend beyond the United States and impact multiple countries. Unlike certain nations, these countries do not have legislation or guidelines intended to safeguard personal information on the internet. Consequently, foreign websites may infringe upon the rights of American internet users, and vice versa. For example, in the US, search engines and web browsers gather data to construct user profiles based on their searches. However, this creates a significant problem for individuals residing in countries that lack privacy policies guaranteeing protection for their online personal information. Despite the worldwide interconnectedness of the internet, geographical boundaries can raise questions about internet independence and the sharing of personal data.
Twitter is a major social media platform that plays a significant role
in sharing online information and content. However, this sharing may clash with the privacy policies of certain countries, particularly when it comes to offline activities and disclosing event locations. Privacy policies differ in terms of standards and rules designed to protect users' personal information online. As a result, Twitter has introduced privacy settings that comply with specific regulations, allowing select users' accounts to share controlled information with a limited audience. The issue of technological privacy becomes increasingly complex due to variations in legal data protection conditions. Conflicts can arise between the laws of different countries or disparities in how data protection laws safeguard information compared to other nations.
