I think technology invades our privacy in a lot of ways. But these invasions can also be used for good things. For example, like we discussed in class the GPS in cell phones can be an invasion of privacy. However, if not abused it can be a good thing. My dad works for KSL and he told me a story about a girl who was recently kid napped. The police took the chance that she had her cell phone on her, and used the GPS to locate her, and she was recovered from the kidnapper. So in that instance, I think having the GPS system is a good thing. But it obviously could be abused which is an invasion of privacy.
As far as social networking sites such as facebook and myspace I don't think someone could claim their privacy was invaded on one of those sites. People willingly put all their information, and pictures on there, and they can set their account to private.
On thing that I think is kind of crazy, and to some could be called an invasion of privacy is the Google earth application. Anyone can type in your address and see a picture of your house and your exact surroundings. I don't really think this is an invasion of privacy, because if that person already has your address they would already be able to go where you live. And this application can also be beneficial. One of my parents good friends was riding his bike on 6200 south, and was hit head on by a car and almost killed. The person in the car got out went over and looked at the cyclist then got back in his car and drove away. No one got a license place number and the person didn't come forward. So the police looked up all the people who were registered to white bmw's. When they were suspicious that it was a certain person who was responsible for this hit and run they typed in his address to Google earth and in the picture of his house there was a white BMW parked in front matching the description, so they were able to catch the guy.
Certain things that we feel are invading our privacy I feel like usually have good intentions. When they are invading our privacy they are being abused.
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Hi Adrianne -
ReplyDeleteGood start, I am just confused about what your theme is? CAn you relate these ideas back to the theme that is guiding your blog? Also - what outside research are you doing to support your claims?
I agree that privacy has its ups and downs. The GPS example was a good one for why privacy issues can be breached for good use. I think when used in a proper way, invasion of privacy saves a lot of lives, although I think the term “invasion of privacy” doesn’t work when describing these instances. I see the term as more of wiretapping my home phone and listening to all my conversations.
ReplyDeleteI think that Google earth is kind of creepy when you think about the fact that anyone can observe your house. Robbers can examine your property to see the best entry points, check our surrounding areas like your neighbors and such. Yea it’s a bit weird, but when you really think about it, they can do it without Google; it would just take a little more work. I could find the address of someone so easily a bunch of different ways. Even the phone book, which I think people forget about, has the addresses in them. I don’t feel that Google is invading our privacy because anyone could drive by and see your home. I think there is more invasion of privacy online with hackers and people that will dig through your trash to find important bills or information.
I do agree with you on the Facebook/Myspace deal though. People put things on these sites that they know are going to be seen by others. There is no reason for people to think that that is an invasion of privacy. If you don’t want people to see it, don’t post it, it’s that easy.
I agree with you, technology does invade our privacy in a lot of ways. I have personally used/dealt with all of the technologies you have mentioned too.
ReplyDeleteGPS saved my ass when I went to Canada over spring break. Without it, I would have been lost the first day and been hating life. One thing we did every time we got out of the car though, was either take the GPS with us, or hide it somewhere. If someone were to steal it, they would know exactly where we were staying, and where we lived too. I know its not the same as having one in your phone, but the info is still there for people to get. I am sure that a good hacker could get into a GPS as well, and get addresses...
Google maps, with the street view, is kind of creepy to me, but awesome at the same time. Beign able to see exactly where you are going/want to go can be extremely beneficial - espicially if there is a hidden alley or side road or something. It is creepy because anyone can just look up your address - not even exactly, just your street name, or even just scan a map of the general area - and see your house...and everything surrounding it. The first day I head about it, I spent like an hour just looking around at my friends houses, and came to find out that my house isnt there...it goes to the end if my street, but doesnt come down it. Oh well..haha.
Facebook is a whole different story. You are putting the info on there all by yourself, and you get to choose who sees what. It can be an invasion of privacy, but only if you let it. If you don't want someone seeing pictures of you drunk on the dancefloor, don't add them as a friend - or just don't allow them to view pictures.
Privacy and new media in general are both controversial. Privacy affects everyone on facebook and other forms of online communication such as myspace. That story that you added into your blog was interesting I'm glad your parents friend is ok. I think that the problem with the internet is that there is no single thing on the internet that you can keep secret. Even when Annie showed us that map of Proposition 8. I felt that the site was to help out the campaign but at the same time it can also hurt those people, for one the gay community is growing and growing now-a-days and if a mob of people in that community went and vandalized a home of a contributor of Prop 8 then who's to blame the internet? I think that really no one is safe with anything on the internet, with the elements that could make ubiquitous computing happen I think that GPS would be beneficial but at the same time some people want some privacy and don't want to be found, like say your getting away from a girlfriend/boyfriend,but at the same time it could help catch criminals such as the story you told.
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