Technology Invading Privacy

Abstract

Privacy can be described as a state in which no one is monitored or disturbed by others. Computers and networks are used for storing vast amount of information. The advanced technology is providing strategic benefits to commercial enterprises. There are three major drivers which are affecting the perceptions of privacy (Thompson, pp. 64). These drivers include technological changes, societal shifts, and discontinuities in circumstance. . Ubiquitous networking is rapidly gaining popularity these days. Due to ubiquitous networking, a vast amount of information is available online. Data stores are now available in electronic forms.

Introduction

Privacy is a common word which can be described as a state in which no one is monitored or disturbed by others.

Computers and telecommunication networks are sources of storage. They are used for storing vast amount of information. The advanced technology is also providing strategic benefits to commercial enterprises. However, with these benefits come some social issues. The adoption of technology in every field of life has created an area of ambiguity. It has created a space in which there are often no explicit rules which define appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. The advanced technology has introduced and enabled several novel applications which were not feasible previously(Hekmat, pp. 162). These new applications have also raised significant questions at both corporate and public levels.

One of the most important debates related to technology is privacy. Privacy, in simple terms, is a condition of limited access to personal information of individuals.

Discussion

There are several examples of growing concerns of privacy protection in the United States.

There are three major drivers which are affecting the perceptions of privacy. These drivers include technological change, societal shifts, and discontinuities in circumstance.

Technological Change

Technological change can be described as a major change in the global technological environment. There are several differences in the current technological environment and the environment of previous decades. These changes in the technological environment have influenced regimes governing privacy. As a result of information technology, hardware has become more powerful. There are several advancements in processor speed, memory sizes, storage capacity, and networking bandwidth. It has allowed users to collect, store, and analyze data in a way that was not possible earlier (Rotenberg and Agre, pp. 3).

There are also other advancements in technology. One of these advancements is sensor technology which allows users to capture data and connect it to the real world. Ubiquitous networking is rapidly gaining popularity these days. Due to ubiquitous networking, a vast amount of information is available online. Data stores are now available in electronic forms.

The net result of technological change is that users are now collecting and storing vast quantities of data. Another reason due to which technological changes are resulting in the invasion of personal privacy is the cost. The cost of information technology is dropping with the passage of time. Due to this reason, technology for collecting and analyzing personal information is easily available to individuals, corporations, and governments (Millett et al, pp. 2).

Societal Shifts

The changes in the structure of society have ...