We seem to have largely accepted that in exchange for the convenience and connection of our digital lives, we give up private information that we once deemed too sensitive to not tightly control. But it's still hard to keep up with the steady stream of news stories about breaches that expose data well above and beyond what we deem acceptable.
The issue can be confusing and is definitely multilayered and constantly evolving, so here is a short collection of recent articles to help you and to make you think. You can read these articles using CPL's Online Resources but I've also noted if an article is available freely on the web.
"Europe's Data Rules Get Teeth and Users Get More Rights" by Adam Satariano
New York Times, May 7, 2018
One thing that is coming up a lot recently are new regulations in the European Union. The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are forcing companies like Google and Facebook to rework some privacy policies. This New York Times article nicely summarizes what the regulations are and how they will (and won't) affect Americans.
"What Lessons Can Washington Learn from Europe about Regulation of Tech Firms?" by Natalia Drozdiak
Wall Street Journal Online, April 12, 2018 (also available here)
Our federal government lightly regulates the tech industry. This article lays out the very real pros and cons of regulation using the new EU regulations.
"Who Owns the Data Your Car Collects?" by Jeff Plungis
Consumer Reports, May 2018 (also available here)
Cars will soon be collecting much more data and "carmakers are champing at the bit to find ways to monetize it." I think in a couple years the issues in this article are going to be incredibly important.
"1984 is Here" by Allen Abel
Maclean's, February 2018
Technology advances so fast that it's hard to keep up with all of the places that data is being collected. How close is our society to the one described in Orwell's 1984?
"Care about Digital Privacy? Then Prove It" by Michael Strain
Chicago Tribune, May 14, 2018
Much like the article above, this article questions the separation of what we say we value and what our actual online behavior reflects.
Are you ready to learn more about privacy and how to stay safe online? Check out interactive lessons like "Stay Safe Online" and "Internet Privacy" on Chicago Digital Learn.
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