Privacy issues are becoming more of a public interest these days. There are heated debates over the issue like it was never before. For more than twenty years, privacy laws have protected citizens. But times have changed, they need to be revised. Recent developments in information technology have enabled people to be more at home with it. Consequently, some companies have discovered how they can make profit out of user information.
The development of user-friendly online environment has attracted users to share information more easily. However, this information can also be used by those who know how to make money out of it. Tracking online behavior has enabled some companies to gain profit, but for the detriment of owners of data.
It ought to be that privacy laws grow as fast as internet technology develops. But this did not happen because privacy laws became stagnant. In today’s sophisticated online technology, these laws would prove to be outdated. Even when companies would want to uphold privacy, they could not do so. This is because there are many provisions that are no longer applicable. Hence, access to these data can be done by someone even without permission from the owner.
Facebook and Twitter are networking sites that rely so much on data sharing. The volume of user information that they hold is their responsibility. As part of privacy agreement, they cannot just divulge any user’s data. But the existing laws could not guarantee this protection. In fact, the government can look into these data very easily. It is here where the need to uphold national security becomes in conflict with protecting individual privacy.
The call to revise privacy laws was done not by one company alone. Even competing companies have joined forces to push for urgent reforms. Government spokespersons have also taken their stand to start such reforms immediately. The year 2011 has started, and so must this change be implemented. It is expected that this would mark the rebirth of privacy laws. This time, these laws are already updated and relevant. Full coverage of individual privacy is expected, while secured sharing of information is also guaranteed.
Image courtesy of: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Communications_and_N_g263-Digital_Earth_p25978.html
No comments:
Post a Comment