Wikipedia:Sandbox

Privacy and Surveillance

The readings reveal significant privacy risks tied to government and corporate surveillance. For instance, companies selling personal data, such as phone locations or genetic profiles, expose individuals to security breaches and identity theft. The Malwarebytes article about a DNA testing company losing customer data shows the dangers of poor safeguards, while TechCrunch shows how easily phone companies' information. The sell-sensitive se practices violate privacy and make individuals vulnerable to data misuse.

Government surveillance, like the NSA’s programs described by the EFF, raises concerns about mass monitoring without accountability. This unchecked power can push back free speech, unfairly target certain groups, and decrease trust in institutions. At the same time, surveillance technologies, like those in Baltimore’s secret aerial program discussed by Bloomberg, can provide benefits, such as solving crimes or improving public safety. However, this only works when transparency is strictly put into place.

Modern surveillance differs from older methods due to how quickly information is gathered and greater opportunities for more data. Technology now allows for the quick collection and analysis of large amounts of data, making it far more invasive. The SSRN paper argues that data generated by corporations, while valuable for business, often blurs the line between corporate property and personal privacy.

Balancing these concerns requires stronger regulations, transparency, and clear consent. Surveillance risks freedom, security, and public trust in a digital world without these safeguards.