In the modern internet landscape, it can be very difficult
to understand how to keep your information private. Sites like Facebook have privacy settings,
but frequent site/app updates often change a user’s privacy settings without notification
and can result in our private information being much more public than we
intended. Tech companies make money off
our online behavior by taking our data, translating it into predictions about
us, and selling it to advertisers and other buyers. Thus, it is in a company’s self-interest to
make their privacy settings as esoteric and difficult to use as possible,
ensuring the maximum amount of open, usable personal data is available. (All
Things Considered, 2017)
Research has been conducted on Americans regarding their professed
concerns concerning internet privacy. As
Hargittai and Marwick summarize in their article “’What Can I Really Do?’
Explaining the Privacy Paradox with Online Apathy,” a majority of Americans (as
high as 57%) are “Privacy Pragmatists” who are concerned about privacy, but
approach each situation from a risk/benefit perspective, 25% are “Privacy
Fundamentalists” who are highly concerned about privacy, and 18% were “Unconcerned”
regarding privacy and would willingly disclose personal details for minor gains.
However, when tested in an experimental setting, even the participants most
highly concerned about privacy, willingly disclosed personal information. (Hargittai
& Marwick, 2016) This contrasting
ideology and behavior is known as the Privacy Paradox.
 |
| Sizzle. n.d. |
Considering that as many as 82% of Americans are concerned
about online privacy, it’s jarring to see so many people unable to correctly
identify privacy threats and act accordingly.
This disconnect is likely due to the lack of education/knowledge on how
to successfully navigate the online world, gaining access to all the benefits,
while still protecting your privacy. One
resource I found particularly useful was WNYC’s Note to Self podcast series “The
Privacy Paradox”. They put on a 5 part
podcast (found here) that walked through how our data is being gathered,
synthesized, and used by companies and provided key steps on how to step up
your efforts in protecting your own privacy and online identity. On their website, you can find beginner,
intermediate, and advanced steps one can take to safeguard your privacy from
changing privacy settings on your browser/social media accounts to
strengthening passwords to using two factor authentication for key accounts.
 |
| Christoph Meinersmann n.d. |
Even with Americans’ professed concern over privacy, and
many of us having the tools available or the resources to find the tools to
safeguard our privacy, why is it that so many people don’t follow through with
their convictions? Is it apathy and/or
cynicism as Hargittai and Marwick suggest, or is there some other underlying
reason? Are companies’ privacy settings
too esoteric? Should there be regulations regarding what data companies can
collect? Is opting-out a realistic
option in today’s world?
References:
Hargittai, Eszter and Alice Marwick. “’What Can I Really Do?’
Explaining the Privacy Paradox with Online Apathy.” International Journal of Communication, vol. 10, 2016.
The Privacy Paradox. Note
to Self. WNYC. https://project.wnyc.org/privacy-paradox/.
Feb 2017. Accessed 20 Mar 2017.
NPR Staff. “Online Trackers Follow Our Digital Shadow by ‘Fingerprinting’
Browsers, Devices.” NPR. http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/09/26/495502526/online-trackers-follow-our-digital-shadow-by-fingerprinting-browsers-devices.
26 Sep 2016. Accessed 20 Mar 2017.
Zomorodi, Manoush, et al. “Privacy Paradox: What You Can Do
About Your Data Right Now.” NPR. http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/01/30/512434746/privacy-paradox-what-you-can-do-about-your-data-right-now.
30 Jan 2017. Accessed 20 Mar 2017.
Icarus,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your point of view on the privacy paradox. I think that to answer your first question one needs to consider society as a whole. In general, people can be very apathetic in all aspects of their life. Therefore, there is no reason for me to believe that it would not be the case with regards to internet privacy. I also believe that there is the thought that I will never be the victim. Which, in the majority of the time, it happens to be the case. I know that for me personally, I am somewhat apathetic towards privacy mainly because I don't care all that much about it. I know that the things that I value the most are going to be safe.
In terms of data collection, I don't really care too much about what data companies collect about me. However, I know that not all people feel the same way as I do. Therefore, I think if the majority of the people feel that regulations should be put into place, then by all means put them into place. I mean this is a democratic society that we live in. We vote in those who make the decisions. So if the government feels that there needs to be some regulations, then go ahead and have some regulations.
In terms of opting-out, I really don't know how one would really be able to do this. The only way I can think of doing this is by going completely off the grid. Live out in the wilderness somewhere and live off the land. Or possibly there are some older people who do not even use the internet. I suppose those people have opted-out by not ever opting-in. I think that in today's technologically advanced society, the internet is such a regular part of everyday life for the majority of Americans. Therefore, you know that just getting online will put some privacy at risk. And obviously it is a risk most people are willing to take.
Kirk, I agree that overall apathy is likely the cause of the privacy paradox. When someone asks you, "Is internet privacy important?" of course most people are going to claim that it is. However, when it comes to actually taking steps to safeguard that privacy, the additional steps seem onerous and people simply don't. Take forced changes to internet passwords: If a company makes you change your password every 3 months, you'll hear co-workers complain about it and most will simply version up the number contained in the password rather than truly comply with the spirit of the requirement. I know personally, using a 2-step authentication as is recommended seems far too bothersome to implement.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that there is a sense of security being among a crowd. If you're simply one of many, and are not someone of note in the public eye, it feels very safe since there are so many other "better" targets for security breaches. I'm sure once something happens to violate that feeling of security in the crowd, many people will re-prioritize how they feel about internet security.
Thanks so much for your comment!