The Online World
“The Internet has radically enhanced our access to information in countless ways, and empowered anyone to share ideas and connect with the entire world [Free Speech, EFF].” There is no arguing that the advent of the Internet and related technologies has revolutionized how the world communicates. Virtually anything one might wish to find is but a few clicks or keystrokes away, and it is just as simple to share your own opinions and beliefs in the wireless world. However, there can be perils in such an open and unrestricted forum, ranging from hacking to the spreading of personal or embarrassing information, and even to tracking in both the online and real world. Case in point of the latter, the “Stingrays” used by law enforcement, a cell phone tracking system that secretly “...force phones in the area to broadcast information that can be used to identify and locate them [Wessler].”
Anonymity is an important facet of freedom of speech, and is inherently available to your interactions in the online world; “Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority... to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation... at the hand of an intolerant society [Anonymity, EFF].” It is as much a right as freedom of speech, and is often under threat, be it from legislation, hackers or simple advertising practices; companies tracking the activity of consumers online to target their marketing to each specifically, a gross violation of privacy. “... it does not follow… that allowing companies to engage in ever-more-intrusive commercial spying is socially valuable. There’s marketing, and there’s spying to target marketing [Stanley, Ad Industry].” The threat of hackers is more apparent, to both your ability to express yourself freely and anonymity; “Computer hackers… break into computer systems in order to steal, change or destroy information… . Their clever tactics and detailed technical knowledge help them access information you really don’t want them to have [Computer].”
In addition, the proliferation of Internet-capable devices gives us access to the virtual world from practically anywhere, allowing us to keep up to date on news and current events. The ability to get your news online has led to a decline in other forms, “In 2016… (there is) a clear preference for getting their news on a screen... TV remains the dominant screen, followed by digital [Mitchell].” This also allows sharing of thoughts and opinions at a moment’s notice, something that can lead to the aforementioned spread of embarrassing information; “Teens are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites than they have in the past… teen social media users do not express a high level of concern about third-parties (such as businesses or advertisers) accessing their data [Pew].”
Anonymity is an important facet of freedom of speech, and is inherently available to your interactions in the online world; “Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority... to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation... at the hand of an intolerant society [Anonymity, EFF].” It is as much a right as freedom of speech, and is often under threat, be it from legislation, hackers or simple advertising practices; companies tracking the activity of consumers online to target their marketing to each specifically, a gross violation of privacy. “... it does not follow… that allowing companies to engage in ever-more-intrusive commercial spying is socially valuable. There’s marketing, and there’s spying to target marketing [Stanley, Ad Industry].” The threat of hackers is more apparent, to both your ability to express yourself freely and anonymity; “Computer hackers… break into computer systems in order to steal, change or destroy information… . Their clever tactics and detailed technical knowledge help them access information you really don’t want them to have [Computer].”
In addition, the proliferation of Internet-capable devices gives us access to the virtual world from practically anywhere, allowing us to keep up to date on news and current events. The ability to get your news online has led to a decline in other forms, “In 2016… (there is) a clear preference for getting their news on a screen... TV remains the dominant screen, followed by digital [Mitchell].” This also allows sharing of thoughts and opinions at a moment’s notice, something that can lead to the aforementioned spread of embarrassing information; “Teens are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites than they have in the past… teen social media users do not express a high level of concern about third-parties (such as businesses or advertisers) accessing their data [Pew].”