Essay - Invasion of Privacy
I am currently taking an English writing class at Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Below is the first draft of my paper that is due tonight. Wish me luck!
Christian Hammond
February 1, 2005
Summary #1, Draft #1
At present and for generations to come, the correlation between increasing technology and how society chooses to protect its privacy is and will be an ongoing dilemma. Journalist and frequent contributor to Wired and Newsday magazines, Joshua Quittner, tells of the potential threats that everyone faces in today’s high-tech world of information. Quittner, in his essay “Invasion of Privacy”, shares personal experiences and worries of “how we’re headed for an even more wired, underregulated, over intrusive, privacy-deprived planet” (353).
In a personal experience with privacy invasion, Quittner tells of the time a duplicate of his credit card was issued to an imposter who was, thereafter, able to spend $3,000 in credit. Fortunately, he filed a report, now done conveniently via telephone, to the credit card company’s fraud division. Because of his vigilance, the financial institution was able to assure him no loss. However, Quittner was not so lucky in a separate occurrence.
After publishing a book pertaining to computer hackers one of his supposed critics was able to redirect the Quittner family’s telephone service to an out-of-state location repeatedly over a six-month period. Even after calling the service provider’s security department into action, efforts were futile to prevent the person from stealing their telephonic identity several times more. In the end, it was the apparent loss of interest by the crime’s committer that brought a halt to the intrusions.
One can easily identify with Quittner when he remarks, “losing control of your telephone… is the least of it” (354). We expose ourselves to privacy loss constantly by simply living out our day’s activities. Getting cash at an ATM or paying for services by electronic means leaves behind a virtual trail for wishers to see. Let us not forget the video surveillance cameras that are all too eager to capture our every move.
Records of information that doctors and caregivers maintain about their patients can even be taken advantage of by the hands of the menacing. Quittner cites Dr. Denise Nagel’s account of where a child rapist had access to patient files while working at a hospital. The pedophile had a virtual smorgasbord from which to choose his next victim.
Employers may use these same records to screen prospects for positions their companies wish to fill. Screening potential employees for health concerns is an obvious attempt for businesses to save money on ever increasing health insurance premiums. Healthy employees are less of a liability to employers. Could DNA testing by companies of current employees be in our near future? Dr Nagel presents case studies from the journal Science and Engineering Ethics that this is already taking place and may one day be common practice.
Information pertaining to one’s personal credit is also a major concern for privacy advocates. In 1970 the First Fair Credit Reporting Act was passed. This allowed consumers the right to access their credit records held on government databases. Consumers can now appeal to have mistakes corrected or to simply update information.
Since the introduction of PCs, privacy concerns have become a top priority of the Internet Technology (IT) industry. What once was secure data on offline mainframes has now become accessible in the web of networks that span the globe. The information contained on these networks can be compiled by net savvy individuals and offered to companies who are willing to pay.
Quittner mentions that there are steps one could take to lessen the likelihood of becoming a potential victim. Destroying credit cards and offering merchants cash only is a start. Not allowing unauthorized persons to obtain social security information is another precautionary step.
Many institutions imply that it is mandatory for customers to give their social security numbers in order to receive certain services; this is not true. Quittner goes on to say that, "You'd be surprised how often you're asked to provide it (social security number) by people who have no right to see it" (356). As stated by law, the only time one must provide his/her social security number is for social security purposes.
Taking extra steps to protecting one’s self in the online community can prove to be worthwhile as well. Files that Internet sites deposit onto visitor’s PCs called “cookies” keep track of site patrons' whereabouts and online tendencies. These can be beneficial, or, in some instances, can be used to gather information that unsuspecting surfers of the web might not wish to share. Companies that use these methods of information gathering often guise their efforts as a means to cater to the online community and make browsing more personal, efficient, and of course convenient.
Quittner's essay is a good read for those that are unaware of the threats to every person that enjoys convenience through advances in technology. His insight and personal experiences with privacy invasion should be taken seriously and revered as topics of high importance amongst the online community. His essay shows that many people, even those that are technologically savvy, are in need of ongoing, informative, and detailed updates of the dangers posed to those that rely heavily on PCs and digital equipment.
Christian Hammond
February 1, 2005
Summary #1, Draft #1
At present and for generations to come, the correlation between increasing technology and how society chooses to protect its privacy is and will be an ongoing dilemma. Journalist and frequent contributor to Wired and Newsday magazines, Joshua Quittner, tells of the potential threats that everyone faces in today’s high-tech world of information. Quittner, in his essay “Invasion of Privacy”, shares personal experiences and worries of “how we’re headed for an even more wired, underregulated, over intrusive, privacy-deprived planet” (353).
In a personal experience with privacy invasion, Quittner tells of the time a duplicate of his credit card was issued to an imposter who was, thereafter, able to spend $3,000 in credit. Fortunately, he filed a report, now done conveniently via telephone, to the credit card company’s fraud division. Because of his vigilance, the financial institution was able to assure him no loss. However, Quittner was not so lucky in a separate occurrence.
After publishing a book pertaining to computer hackers one of his supposed critics was able to redirect the Quittner family’s telephone service to an out-of-state location repeatedly over a six-month period. Even after calling the service provider’s security department into action, efforts were futile to prevent the person from stealing their telephonic identity several times more. In the end, it was the apparent loss of interest by the crime’s committer that brought a halt to the intrusions.
One can easily identify with Quittner when he remarks, “losing control of your telephone… is the least of it” (354). We expose ourselves to privacy loss constantly by simply living out our day’s activities. Getting cash at an ATM or paying for services by electronic means leaves behind a virtual trail for wishers to see. Let us not forget the video surveillance cameras that are all too eager to capture our every move.
Records of information that doctors and caregivers maintain about their patients can even be taken advantage of by the hands of the menacing. Quittner cites Dr. Denise Nagel’s account of where a child rapist had access to patient files while working at a hospital. The pedophile had a virtual smorgasbord from which to choose his next victim.
Employers may use these same records to screen prospects for positions their companies wish to fill. Screening potential employees for health concerns is an obvious attempt for businesses to save money on ever increasing health insurance premiums. Healthy employees are less of a liability to employers. Could DNA testing by companies of current employees be in our near future? Dr Nagel presents case studies from the journal Science and Engineering Ethics that this is already taking place and may one day be common practice.
Information pertaining to one’s personal credit is also a major concern for privacy advocates. In 1970 the First Fair Credit Reporting Act was passed. This allowed consumers the right to access their credit records held on government databases. Consumers can now appeal to have mistakes corrected or to simply update information.
Since the introduction of PCs, privacy concerns have become a top priority of the Internet Technology (IT) industry. What once was secure data on offline mainframes has now become accessible in the web of networks that span the globe. The information contained on these networks can be compiled by net savvy individuals and offered to companies who are willing to pay.
Quittner mentions that there are steps one could take to lessen the likelihood of becoming a potential victim. Destroying credit cards and offering merchants cash only is a start. Not allowing unauthorized persons to obtain social security information is another precautionary step.
Many institutions imply that it is mandatory for customers to give their social security numbers in order to receive certain services; this is not true. Quittner goes on to say that, "You'd be surprised how often you're asked to provide it (social security number) by people who have no right to see it" (356). As stated by law, the only time one must provide his/her social security number is for social security purposes.
Taking extra steps to protecting one’s self in the online community can prove to be worthwhile as well. Files that Internet sites deposit onto visitor’s PCs called “cookies” keep track of site patrons' whereabouts and online tendencies. These can be beneficial, or, in some instances, can be used to gather information that unsuspecting surfers of the web might not wish to share. Companies that use these methods of information gathering often guise their efforts as a means to cater to the online community and make browsing more personal, efficient, and of course convenient.
Quittner's essay is a good read for those that are unaware of the threats to every person that enjoys convenience through advances in technology. His insight and personal experiences with privacy invasion should be taken seriously and revered as topics of high importance amongst the online community. His essay shows that many people, even those that are technologically savvy, are in need of ongoing, informative, and detailed updates of the dangers posed to those that rely heavily on PCs and digital equipment.
posted by Puddin' at 1:57 PM
7 comments
