Editorial: Internet privacy is important The most advanced technology 70 years ago–a computer weighing over 50 tons–did not even have half the power of a 2-by-6 rectangle found in the pocket of any average American nowadays. During this pandemic we have become even more heavily reliant on it. From staying connected with friends and family, to Zoom calls for school and work, and using social media as a means of seeing the world while in our living rooms—we have used technology for a sense of normalcy. Though technology and the internet have become an integral part of society, they have drawbacks that we cannot ignore. For instance, the growing division in the U.S. is not by chance. It is largely due to the internet. Popular apps are programmed to keep their users engaged, so they only give you content that you want to see. At first, this may seem like a good
thing. Say you enjoy sewing; once the algorithm realizes you gravitate towards these kinds of videos, it makes sure sewing videos pop up in your feed. In this case, the algorithm is helpful because it shows you what you’re interested in. However, the constant flow of only the information you want to see becomes dangerous when applied to things like politics and conspiracies. As of late, the terms and services of popular apps such as Instagram have also grown more vague, giving the app more control in private areas of the users’ life. Instagram now has the ability to look through calls and text messages, watch users through their camera phone, and use their pictures as they please. But apps are not the only invasion of privacy that we have willfully brought into our lives for the sake of convenience. The little home helpers remind-
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ing you to take out the trash, telling you the time, and eavesdropping on your conversations are better known as Alexa or Google Home. Privacy in one’s home is no longer guaranteed, in fact it is safe to assume that with all the gadgets in your home, you have less privacy than your grandparents. Even though information is quite literally a couple taps away, it seems many are uninformed about how much big companies are infringing on privacy. Scrolling through the terms and conditions without a second glance and pressing accept is a habit we need to break. Next time you’re faced with the pages on pages of text of another contract, read some of it and think about how much of your privacy you are willing to relinquish before pressing accept.
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JANUARY 2021 HIGHLANDER
47
