Take a minute to think about how you share information everyday: online purchases, web banking, emails, text messages, ‘checking-in’ on Facebook, tweets, blog posts, etc. Almost no one is immune to digital transactions of personal information on a daily basis these days, and with each of these seemingly mundane dealings comes a certain degree of responsibility and accountability.
Earlier this week, an article in the Vancouver Sun called into question the protections that are in place to ensure that the benefits and perks of an online lifestyle outweigh the risks associated with a traceable routine.
Several experts chimed in and the consensus was seemingly one of inevitability. People want to be involved in the digital world, they want to feel included in social media networks and they want the convenience of utilities such as GPS location and digital records.
But what the experts also agreed upon was the need for the public to hold companies and organizations accountable for the protection of their information. Ours is the first society to rely so heavily on the online realm in nearly every facet of our lives; professional, personal and financial. As such, it is crucial to remain vigilant when it comes to password protections, checking online bank statements and maintaing the integrity of your online image.
There’s really no way to be certain how this transparency and newfound desire to share information will impact our notion of privacy in the long term, but for now it’s safe to say that we’re shaping that future with every click of the mouse.
People said…