Blog 4: Online Privacy

Online privacy initially referred to the concept of personal information not being made available to everyone online. Now this term replies to a variety of issues and there are many conflicting views of it. With the widespread use of social networks, photo sharing sites, and privacy policies from numerous websites being ignored, the lines between privacy and open access have become blurred.

Most people understand that anything they post online can be viewed by others. However, some people still are under the assumption that they're information and photos are protected by some sort of online privacy law or a website's promise not to sell their information. Although in reality it is incredibly easy for anyone to find out whatever they want about you online. And everything you post online can be considered part of a public domain. Cookies are also capable of tracking your online activity and can be easily activated on your computer.

Many feel its safe to say there is no such thing as online privacy anymore. The concept of privacy in general seems lost today. With just a name, phone number, or address its easy to access all kinds of information about someone online. Sites like http://www.spokeo.com/ allow you to track all of your e-mail contacts activity on major social network sites.

Despite the demise in online privacy, many people still believe they have a right to privacy and lawmakers continue to work for laws pertaining to protecting these rights. Groups like the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have tried to present their case about the amount of liberties advertisers take with consumer's information. A bill on privacy with bipartisan support may also be introduced on Capitol hill according to Rick Broucher.

Sites like Aol already lay claim to all the information you post and can use it however they like. Facebook has a similar policy as do all social networking sites. Ads you accidentally click on and applications you accept also warn you that you are signing over the rights to everything you have on the site in their "accept these terms" box.

I think we have all become lazy about reading the terms of service and privacy policies, but we also conveniently forget we were warned. I feel the attempts being made at regulating online privacy are futile. There are already too many ways of getting around things and everyone should live by the principle of not putting anything online they would not put on a shirt they would wear to the grocery store.