http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/digitalrevolution/2010/02/virtual-revolution-episode-thr.shtml
This is the blog set up by the BBC for viewers to post their feedback after watching the programme. Read the comments and then post your own response on THIS blog - not the BBC blog. Tell me what you think about the implications of the capture of personal data on the web - is this a serious problem? Remember to put your own name on your comment!
Liam camp
ReplyDeleteto be fair I don't see it as a genuine problem, it's not like a man is sitting there recording all your details, it's just a computer programme that guesses what you might want based on key words. It's like a man handing out leaflets in a shopping centre for a new clothes shop, he can guess your shopping and a quick glance at you will tell him if your the person suitable for the shop he's advertising for (ie age and gender) especially if your carrying bags from other shops. In essence the cost of personal information is just an online equivalent of this but in a more precise manner, all it aims to do is make advertising more helpful and relevant for you.
I do have to say that this really doesnt bother me. In fact i struggle to see how the internet actually knows anything about me, so it knows my searches, but it doesnt know my name, where i live and what my bank details are. i for one am very careful about the kind of information i put online because i am aware of predators and fraudsters but what Aleks Krotoski is talking about is nothing but an automated computer programme. Frankly i think people should stop looking into things like this so deeply and just enjoy the internet for the purpose it was created whilst being suitably careful.
ReplyDeleteAmy Horsley
I do not believe we are in danger by things we post online because you can recieve information about people by over hearing a conversation they have on a bus or a train. There are many different ways in which people can find out peoples motives and plans for the day and plans for their future lives, we just have to be more careful and quiet. Yet if someone wants to track me down by seeing I have searched 'blogger' into google then they can feel free.
ReplyDeleteAndrew
Conor O'Sullivan
ReplyDeleteAlthough we are practically in the same situation when concerning our privacy on the internet, I still feel somewhat intruded. It would be hypocritical for me to say that I haven't allowed my details to go onto the internet, because I have through Facebook and Twitter, however I know the consequences. My point is that we're not informed enough on the things we don't know. I had no idea until the documentary our searches, as a nation and world wide, are put onto a database open to hackers and other sources. Also, with the increasing usage of the internet by children (and adults), who are completely naive to the situation, I don't understand why the information included in this documentary hasn't been told much sooner.
Aj Watson
ReplyDeleteAlthough its a perfectly valid point that is being made in this video; personal privacy on the internet is the cost of free, I do not believe that it is something to worry about unless people have got something to hide. However, I do believe that people should be made more aware of the risks of using Google and other free services, and then use the sites at their own risk.
Overall, I would rather these sites use my information to tailor advertising than make me pay for them.
Sophie Legge
ReplyDeleteWhile watching this programme I found it interesting to learn quite how people could manage to find out how and where I live due to my Googel searches. Although this is worrying to a certain extent I will not stop searching or be worried about what I am searching as its mainly clothes sites and holidays or for school work and any pop up or advertising I may be directed due to this I do not have to click on and be drawn in. I know its something to look out for in the future so I will be more aware from now on.
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ReplyDeleteI feel that it's not a problem that people can read the trail we leave across the internet because although they can see what we are searching for they cannot find out any further information about my personal life; for example, where i live, where i go to school, what car i drive and most importantly my bank details.
ReplyDeleteUntill i watched this i didn't realise that we pay by giving up our privacy to get free internet pages. I also find it interesting how Google can see what you are searching for and find adverts that are relevant to your search.
Megan Saxton
In my opinion, the internet may look safe by appearences, but we are in danger, by putting stuff online that people can see around the world. I did feel uncomfortable the first time I created an account on facebook, because I didn't want people seeing pictures of myself and my family. Through time Facebook and Twitter becomes addictive to some people and it gives the chance for the wrong people to attack the vulnerable people online. I agree with when you are on G-Mail I like if you write a word such as "beach" adverts about the certain topic you write about, pop up.
ReplyDeleteSam Walton
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ReplyDeleteWatching this programme has made me realise the amount of information we unknowingly give out to people about ourselves and others. I do believe that we are paying with our privacy whilst browsing on the internet to a certain extent, but i like to think that the the world wide web has a lot more positive things to offer to a global market. It has taught me to be a little bit more cautious about the information that i give out on the internet and i have noticed more advertisments that i have been interested in.
ReplyDeleteEmily Thomas
I do see the point being made but I think that they are blowing being monitored online way out of proportion.
ReplyDeletePeople can search things online for other people, say a friend or family member and the people who are doing the monitoring won't know that it is for someone else. Also being in a family more than one user is using the internet which means they will be getting mixed searches. They can never really know everything about a person because they don't know them personally.
I myself don't put details on the internet such as bank details etc, and things which i think could potentially get me in trouble or are private to me and could give people an idea of where i live and who i really am.
Overall i think that it is something that shouldn't be looked at so closely because it isn't as big a deal as this programme is making.
Marianna Theochari.
Perry Allen
ReplyDeleteWhilst the information in this programme is completely valid, I do believe that it is an exaggeration of a well known practice. Personal information can of course be submitted and revealed on the internet, but that which is not made clear is that it is entirely down to the user how much personal info they give out. There are blocks and password protected areas of personal sites such as Facebook and MySpace, which can be put in place to prevent information going awry. The internet is portrayed as a database where everyone can look at everyone’s personal life, but in the real world it is not this way. The cases in which someone’s Facebook profile is left open, or they forget to clear out the banking information from a public computer when making a purchases is down to the user’s own incompetence. I think that these isolated cases with known risks aren’t enough to warrant a fear for one’s private information. So long as you educate yourself before using an online service, there won’t be a problem.