Privacy

 Plate Readers

An increase in mass surveillance is allowing local police departments to obtain vast information about every individual. 

Location information reveals the places we go and how citizen's interact. Automatic license plate readers are everywhere: roads, police cars, etc. 

A license reader intends to enter the information into a pool of car information that eliminates them from a wanted list for wrong-doings. Thousands of plates get photographed per minute. This technological advancement can be a great asset when working to solve a criminal investigation. However, government officials are tracking us, and it is unknown how long the data remains stored. This breach of privacy invades societal norms regarding an individual's right to a private life. 

Government Surveillance 

Before the current advanced technology, it used to be entirely manual. Now, telephones and the companies wired to them have built-in surveillance services. Someone can easily be listening to any conversation, including with family members and even business calls. 

Listeners can be the United States government or foreign governments. Some companies install strong encryption technology to prevent a breach of surveillance. Apple Products, WhatsApp, and more are examples of companies with strong encryption technology, and this can be applied to all software.

Electronic Tattoos

A digital footprint or an electronic tattoo, is using the internet, sending emails, posting on social media, etc. 

There are Active and Passive digital footprints. An Active footprint is when an individual willingly posts information about themselves - accepting cookies on your browser is a subtle form of adding to your digital footprint. Passive digital footprints include information collected without their knowledge.

Digital footprints matters for a variety of different reasons. One example, the information made public is almost always permanent like an ink tattoo is permanent. 

Employers check their potential employee's digital footprint, and social media, specifically, before deciding to hire you. Colleges and universities do this too. 

Being mindful of what you post, a digital footprint is protectable. Checking your name in search engines consistently will provide a sense of what's publically available about you. Deleting old accounts and subscriptions minimizes your footprint.