Are Our Lives as Private as We Think?

    In today's world, we are constantly surrounded by new and improved technology. Who is to say that someone is or is not watching us through our laptop cameras or observing what we buy online to gain more information about us? We can only hope that there is some privacy with passwords and two-factor authorization, but there isn't much but some letters and numbers keeping anyone out of our personal information. 

    I shouldn't have to watch what I say out loud in hopes my electronic devices won't hear me. If I so happen to mention an upcoming trip my family is taking or if I bring up wanting to try a new perfume with my mom, my phone begins to give me all the ads in the world for trips to Florida or the new Gucci perfume that just launched. It is not only my phone that listens, but my laptop, Amazon Alexa, and other such devices. While these ads just seem creepy and suspicious, there isn't much actual harm with them. However, does this mean I can't read out anything important to my parents? I can't let them know my driver's license number if they need it or even my social security number or else someone could steal my information. It seems that the only safe way to give someone information nowadays is by writing it down on a piece of paper and tearing it to shreds afterward. If we are surrounded by technology, which is hard to get away from, it is most likely listening in. How can we possibly feel safe knowing that every part of our lives is being recorded and stored? Christopher Soghoian talked about ways to avoid this type of surveillance by securing messages and calls. The devastating truth is that this is only one example of probably millions as to why we don't feel like private citizens anymore. The even sadder reality is that this problem isn't going to be fixed anytime soon. 

    Privacy is something nearly everyone, if not everyone, wants, and it is something we are human beings should deserve. I don't want random strangers stealing my information, let alone anyone else. This is a major issue as scams have become increasingly more realistic looking. Just a week and a half ago I had to verify with my mom that a text message I received about a package being returned because of an incorrect address. I am not the only one going through such problems. My mom and stepdad had someone hack their banking information not once, but twice. Additionally, my sister and I have been good about what we put on the internet. Juan Enriquez states in his TED talk that anything you post online is considered your electronic tattoo. What you put on the internet can always be traced back to you and it can't go away. It still exists even when you delete it. That's why we need to watch what we put online because it could later affect us. For example, posting an image of you drinking alcohol underage can affect if you get a job you've been wanting forever. No matter who you are, you can become a victim of privacy invasion and you must watch what you put on the internet because it may cause future issues.

    Another way that we are being tracked and traced is through surveillance through the police departments. Catherine Crump observed how police can track license plates and locate anyone with the use of cell towers as long as they have their cell phones on them. This can be seen as imposing on civil liberties, and I agree with that. I don't need anyone to see my location at any time because that isn't anyone's business but my own. What could they possibly need that information for? The only way I can see myself agreeing with this form of invasion is when a crime is committed and police need proof of the suspect. As a Criminal Justice major, I see it from this standpoint, however, it still doesn't make it completely moral. When it comes to police knowing your location, it is personally hard for me to side with right or wrong.

    While all of this information is scary, I think the scariest part as a young adult is the risk of partners posting innaproatiate content online. Darieth Chisolm shares her story of when this same incident happened to her. Chisolm's partner had revealed private and sensitive photos of her online as revenge, and it ultimately destroyed her. This is all too common throughout college. While this is possible for men to become victims, women seem to be the main target. We may not completely know why this happens, but it can be the most disastrous. Once this type of private information is leaked, there may not be a way to come back from it. To protect yourself from situations like this, don't agree to anything you aren't comfortable with and watch out for possible outcomes such as Chisolm's. We must always watch out for ourselves before pleasing others.

    The strongest thing we have to protect our privacy is the fourth amendment, which protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures. However, this is limited and what is currently going on is apparently seen as legal and fine. The government should be doing something about our privacy. The amount of information spread about myself is probably astronomical, yet I don't know how much is out there. Our government should be protecting its citizens from these problems. 

    If you have a life and a cell phone, it is pretty hard to, if not impossible, stay completely private. The most we can do is to watch what we say aloud, watch what apps we download, be sure to read the terms and agreements, and watch what we post online and on social media. We should try to set difficult passwords and maybe try to download apps that can possibly protect our information even just a little bit more. Technology is all around us and attempting to be a completely private person just isn't possible nowadays, no matter how hard to try.