Tyneria Cobbins-Technology: Then and Now

    The industrial age was dependent on technologies that extracted value from the earth, trees, and water. Our age too relies on extractive technologies. However the technologies are not pumps or drills, nor is the substance extracted valued because of its physical properties. The technologies are computers, transmitters, spectrographs and video lens. A major substance extracted is personal information. 

    The best place to start is with a definition of privacy in the context of technology. The best way to describe privacy in this context is in terms of “restricted access/limited control.” Restricted access means that there is a form of privacy where some people are allowed access and others are not, so a person can stop others from viewing their information if they so choose. It is reasonable to expect the same amount of privacy in these situations that one would have if not using technology. To ensure control over their personal data, individuals need to have what is called limited control over their personal data so that they can ensure restricted access. The only way to avoid government surveillance is to not use electronic communication at all. This situation is a different set of costs and benefits to the average person. You can either maintain your privacy by not using electronic communication; or, you can just accept the fact that the things you’re doing on the Internet/the conversations you’re having on the phone could be getting tracked by the government and use these technologies anyway. Not using the Internet is out of the question for most people, especially young people. They just accept that they could be being watched, claiming that they “have nothing to hide”. 







Source: Alexander, John (2015). How Technology is Killing Privacy. Retrieved on July 25, 2021 from https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1430&context=honorsprojects 

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