An interesting article, Study finds websites prying less, was released that discusses how website companies are actually keeping less personal information of their users within the last decade. I was very surprised to hear this. The recent study, conducted by the Progress & Freedom Foundation, showed that the percentage of companies that were retracting user's information dropped by about 10 percent. I understand that there is still work to be done, but I feel like that is a big improvement from where we were headed. Our privacy is still at stake, and a number of measures needs to be taken to help protect what is rightfully ours. The article, Shopping Online, Privacy, Data Protection and Third-Party Tracking states that part of our privacy problem lies with websites posting a privacy statement but not actually carrying it out. Who would have known? I do feel like I have less spam in my spam folder than I used to. I was very intrigued to have a better understanding of what was causing this.
There are three main reasons on why this change is happening:
1) The market place is placing less value on collection
2) There are cut backs due to negative feedback provided by consumers
3) Economic reasons.
I was surprised to hear economic reasons as one of the causes for the change. I thought due to economic reasons websites would push harder to collect information that could help them gain user's interests and thoughts.
On the contrary, I found an article, Websites share user data more often than previously thought, that states that websites are not allowed to construct personal profiles on viewers to better target them for advertising needs. A personal profile is,"a searchable description, highlighting individual interests, contact information, and a photograph' (What is the Meaning of Personal Profile 1). I learned that in fact, however, we the consumer benefit from this because we are highly likely to only receive advertisements for products and services that are related to us and our searches. I personally appreciate this because I do not like when inappropriate emails are sent to me. An awesome idea was mentioned to use a system called a "Do-not-track mechanism." This allows the consumer to push a button that tells the website company that they may not use their personal information for advertising uses. This idea was brought to Congress, and is being considered for being put through legislation. Further research showed there are actually programs already out there that help us protect our private information. Such as, system called Privad which allows your user information to never be saved or h ave your sensitive information gathered. Firefox users have the ability to download this feature at any time.
Sources
- http://adresearch.mpi-sws.org/
- http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/internet/03/27/online.privacy/index.html
- http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/12/business/la-fi-web-privacy-20111012
- http://www.ehow.com/facts_6748297_meaning-personal-profile_.html
- https://plus.google.com/photos/116226838184047916234/albums/5849777085923750897/5851193442447432082
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406161037.htm
- http://worria.com/en/outlook-filter.shtml
I am glad that we are looking for more ways to protect our privacy such as the " Do not track mechanism" and Privad. I cant stand getting all those spam emails. If they had good use then I wouldn't mind. But it truly has no benefits for me.
ReplyDeleteI know! My spam folder grows every day. I as well feel that I do not benefit at all from my spam folder. I do not remember once pulling an email from that folder and actually using it for a product or service. Most of the emails I receive are even appalling.
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I couldn't agree more, I can't remember when was the last time that I checked my email and I did not have an email in my spam folder. If this companies that get your information would send at least useful information on those email like coupons, sales or even surveys I wouldn't mind but all they do is share your information with other companies and then you get all this junk emails.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes their argument is at the bottom of their page there is an option to "unsubscribe." However not only is this time consuming but that means you actually have to click on the email and open it. To me it seems like I am making my computer available to a virus that way!
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