The Value of Digital Privacy in an Information Technology Age

The Value of Digital Privacy in an Information Technology Age

A weekend getaway in Vegas…$400, dinner at a fine restaurant…$200, digital privacy in the information technology age…PRICELESS. No value can be put on the importance of digital privacy in today’s world of the Internet. There are numerous technologies that allow individuals to research citizens’ private data. Websites such as Facebook, Intelius, and Spokeo allow for easy access to individuals’ personal information.

Technologies That Allow Research of Private Data

For today’s generation, Facebook has become as conventional as the telephone. You will not find many people functioning in today’s technological environment without a Facebook page. With so many people using the website, it has become a prime source in gathering personal data about individuals. So many users post personal information about where they work, what schools they attend, what vacations they’ve taken, the names/ages of theirs kids, and much more. And, of course, there are usually pictures to go along with all of the unsolicited information that’s posted. Social networking sites usually allow their users to join and host their information for free. These companies sometimes make their money by helping marketers to target advertising campaigns--a service for which advertisers pay tremendously. This creates profit for social networking companies as they provide a free service to users (Petryni, 2013).

Intelius is one example of a people search where various types of information can be obtained about individuals. By inputting only a name, anyone can acquire someone’s age, a list of previous addresses as well as relatives. Additional information that can be gathered is date of birth, phone numbers, emails and social networking information. This information can easily be used in identity theft.

Another way of gathering personal data is through the website Spokeo. This website is similar to Intelius, displaying the same types of personal data. Additionally, it accesses electronic “public records” that contains private information. Courts and government agencies at all levels of government are increasingly making public records available on websites (Public Records on the Internet, 2006). Spokeo also allows searches by usernames or e-mail addresses. This site provides summaries of social networks, blogging sites, dating sites, photo sites, online shopping sites and lots more. No detail is off limits.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Public Access to Information

Although the thought of private information being available to anyone online is a scary thought, it has its pro and cons. The advantages are primarily to those performing the research. For example, employers can easily investigate potential job candidates before they grant an interview. Information,