Discussion Topic: Online Privacy

The biggest fear in regards to privacy is not really the notion of being watched, but what those at the other end are capable of doing with information pertaining to the individuals under surveillance. When it is an issue of national security, how threatened people tend to feel all depends on the level of trust they are willing to offer to their government. The only way that authorities are able to track down the suspects through advanced technology is by maintaining the anonymity of those they are inspecting, while implementing proper strategies to counter the possible threats. Yet it is not always a government that would want to gather information on the people, but the businesses. Since big businesses are always competing for achieving higher quality, they obviously feel the same way about finding employees who the employers believe are capable of delivering that level of potential. By bringing social networks to their advantage, employers are able to conduct the background checks so as to determine the value of those they are putting into consideration for hire. Whether it is bigger governments or bigger businesses monitoring over everyone, these circumstances leave people in a desperate situation where they must defend their reputations to whatever extent necessary. The best way to fight back is by fighting fire with fire. Rather than submitting to the technologies that are already in wider use (which in turn ensures more power to those who distribute the products), more innovation needs to be encouraged amongst the people. As people learn to be more tech-savvy and promote their products, they are able to establish a greater sense of independence from the big businesses, as well as the big governments. As more become independent, there is also more competition. As more competition comes about, there is a lesser chance for one to impose its will on all.