#4 Privacy, Online & Off

Online & Offline Privacy

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    Everyone is aware of their digital footprint, but not everyone is mindful of what theirs might look like. The info we voluntarily share online can be used against us in the future when it might matter the most. I have always been told by my parents, teachers, and even siblings that what I post will always be online. It was hard to wrap my head around the concept as a kid, but now I realize the true dangers. There's been a rise in celebrities getting canceled for old posts that didn't age very well. People making jokes or comments back in 2011 that people find today can destroy someone's career/reputation all these years later. This isn't exclusive to celebrities; companies almost always run background checks on their employees. This includes what posts they have up and what they might try to keep private. I had friends in high school who had to clean up their social media accounts before applying to colleges. 

    When considering government intervention, we must be sure it doesn't cross the line of censorship. Tighter data privacy laws should be put in place so companies can't access/ store more of our info than they're authorized. Cybersecurity could be strengthened to prevent outsiders from getting our info through companies' user data. Phones such as Apple products encrypt all of our data, making it almost impossible for outsiders to get our information through our phones. This doesn't protect our data from being pulled through other websites or devices, but one less threat is beneficial. 

    As an internet user, my advice to anyone worried about what can be used to track you is to do a regular device cleanup. Clearing any apps or downloads that you don't use anymore allows you to look for any files you might not recognize and delete them off your device. I also recommend using fake names and emails when signing up for websites you know don't need your real info. Don't open a bank account under a fake name! Making sure the services you use are reputable is an easy way to keep your information safe. 

    The government uses our data to its advantage along with corporations, so we can't rely on them alone to protect our data. Stay vigilant and mindful about where you give out your info!