It is not just about online data. Social media also destroyed the sense of basic offline privacy. These digital dossiers actually present just a piece of the conundrum that has forever changed in a world defined now by smartphones, images, clips, live-streaming and the sheer need for clout. Perhaps the other section of the picture has been the loss of privacy in the offline world, as historical norms around basic human respect have been replaced with a paparazzi-like expectation of the privilege to film anyone anywhere for any reason and broadcast it to the world. You’ve seen them, those people who always have the right speed to just pull out their phones from the depth of their pockets or bags in case anything happens on the streets. And by anything, I mean exactly that. Once upon a time, the mainstream media was respectful enough of the privacy of ordinary people but never cared that much about the dignity of public figures. A celebrity or politician caught anywhere doing something queer would soon enough run into the risk of being on primetime news or an exclusive article on the morning paper. But even then, the press still found a way to respect any of the person’s requests and portray them in the image they wished. Today, all of that is out of the window as it is not just the political or entertainment sphere in which privacy has been eroded. The line between paparazzi and press has become increasingly blurred as salacious scandals and stalker-like tactics have become commonplace as ordinary citizens now increasingly perform the role of photojournalist and reporter. After all, what’s the need of waiting for this juicy story to be aired by the press when I can just take a shot or film it, post it online and get a couple of likes and retweets? In our era of omnipresent smartphone cameras, there is little left that is off-limits to sharing with the world. This is, however, not to say that obscene or just straight-up offensive behaviour shouldn’t be held to account. But when was even the last time that really happened with a clean intention? See an oddly dressed individual going about their business at the supermarket? Photograph it and post to social media lampooning their fashion choices. See a neighbour having a heated fight with their spouse? Why not film it and maybe Kenyans on Twitter will want some of this later in the day instead of maybe helping? (We all remember what we did to Natalie Tewa).
Witness a horrible road accident? Hey, why not film this and spread the word instead of actually running to rescue the casualties? See an exhausted guard juggling jobs taking a brief nap on the parking lot? Instead of confronting them, capture a gallery of them sleeping in their uniform then post to social media and have memes flying in later. Split up with an ex who broke your heart? Post nude photos of her on the internet later so she can also feel some pain. Two decades ago, none of this would have been imagined. Today they are sadly an almost daily routine. The fact is that the social era has created an entire generation of the privileged citizenry that believes it is their inviolable right to photograph anyone anywhere for any reason and share the imagery with the world.
THE CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA SCANDAL IS ONE THAT STILL LINGERS FRESH IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF USERS GLOBALLY EVEN AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW. We have the right to dox those we dislike and call for harassment and even violence against them. The rise of the powerful smartphone with its camera that actually keeps getting better alongside mobile connectivity transformed our ability to share the world around us. Unfortunately, it also empowered a generation with the tools to easily commit public ridicule and to harness the Web’s dark side that we all thought was just about illegal hacking. All this is just to enforce opinions and maybe get a little more online presence. Either way, none of this is ever going to change anytime soon, being that it is still unclear what might turn the tide against this movement given the depth at which it is now entrenched into our societal fabric.
