Last week's class got me thinking a lot about privacy and the digital world. Is privacy really obsolete? I have come to the conclusion that privacy is not obsolete and here's my reasoning why. Anyone can choose to protect their information and not share it online, but that comes with consequences. Prime example: when filling out an online form, there are certain areas that MUST be completed, usually marked with a red star. If you refuse to fill in that data (and I know because I've done it before) you can't proceed to the next stage. In that sense you are restricted, almost being punished, for not passing on the correct amount of data required by the advertiser/brand. In my opinion and taking this into consideration, privacy defers case by case. In other words, it very much depends on the individual's need to feel involved. I say need because no one would voluntarily share important information for the sake of it. You wouldn't necessarily share your data if you didn't see the return of value that the specific website/app will have for you. In a sense, it's almost like you're investing your privacy in return for an expectation.
This article I found is an example of how our data can be used online, and of course being a [Squared] student it's more than appropriate to case study on Google! Its focus is on how Google Plus use our data. It's a platform that collects information and doesn't pride on popularity. An interesting read.
Taking all the above into consideration, my bottom line is that privacy is not obselete, but it can be neglected.
