Name Patrick Bratton Class time: Online

Author: Sara Baase
Date of Publication: 2008
Book: A Gift of Fire
Sections read: Chapter 2.1-2.2, 2. 3.2, 23.6, 2.4.2, 2.5.3, 2.5.4


1. (Questioning) After reading this chapter/article what questions do I have?

The question I have are should the government be allowed to basically do whatever they please online and retain any information they want?

2. (Knowledge) Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:

a. How the government bypasses the Fourth Amendment; i.e. Olmstead v. United States and Kyllo v. United States (pg70-71)
b. When someone joins, subscribers to, or registers with a company (such as AOL or MySpace0, they are accepting the company’s policy on privacy and information sharing as part of the agreement.” (pg56)
c. Internet service providers (ISPs) and Web sites can invisibly collect such details of our online activities as where we went, what we did, what browser we use, and how long we stayed at a particular page. Even when we know that Websites can collect such information, we often are not aware of just what information a particular site is collecting. (pg51)

3. (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?

The chapter focuses on privacy. Baase, states three key aspects of privacy which are “freedom of intrusion- being left alone, control of information about oneself and freedom from surveillance. (pg. 45) With that said one is would be safe from intrusion but with the popularity of social networking sites people are literally handing over their personal information and placing it online for the public to view. Not only that but information we give out online is gathered, rather it be by cookies or invisible information gathering. In a sense, privacy seems to be ignored because within the chapter it states, “We store our photos and videos, fill out or tax forms, and create and store documents and financial spreadsheets on Websites instead of on our own computer. These services have benefits, of course, but they expose us to increased privacy risk. (pg. 48)

4. (Application) Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – be specific and explain?
A specific example that has recently affected millions including myself was the PlayStation Network being hacked. “At the end of April, Sony said its PlayStation Network, which allows play and communication online with other users, was hacked, with more than 75 million accounts stolen.” (http://adage.com/article/news/sony-sustained-brand-damage-hackings/228091/) I have a PSN (PlayStation Network Account) and had to check my financial records to make sure everything was safe and secure. Not only that I changing my checking account and transferred my money into it. To order things online you have to willing give up your information. I’m not sure if it’s in the user agreements (which I honestly might go back in to check) but I think in the privacy agreements it should state if any information is stolen from hackers and one’s money is depleted out of their account, they should be reimbursed. Sony is a major company and I feel there should be no excuses to being hacked. I’m just glad nothing was stolen from me.

5. (Analysis) Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading?
I feel that the use of Satellite is an invasion to all of our privacy as a whole. The public can easily log on to Google Satellite and lookup the location of where a person lives. Not only that but it gives you the street view, how the house looks as well as the surrounding area. “The software has been criticized by a number of special interests groups, including national officials, as being an invasion of privacy and even posing a threat to national security.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth#Controversy_and_criticism)”

6. (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS, reference)?

I agree with the chapter. I feel people need to realize and be aware of the type of information they place on the Internet and use CAUTION. Data and information is constantly saved online and I feel as if so many few just do not realize this, or just don’t care until there is a leak in the system and information is stolen. “People often are not aware that information about them and their activities is being collected and saved.” (pg. 50)

7. (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Are there any ethical considerations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics)? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter/article?

This topic is definitely relevant in today’s society! All the information we put on the Internet is stored somewhere and is truly never gone. People have to be aware how vital it is to be aware of what information you put online. “When someone joins, subscribers to, or registers with a company (such as AOL or MySpace0, they are accepting the company’s policy on privacy and information sharing as part of the agreement.”(pg56) I feel everyone doesn’t read the fine print, or just doesn’t care about their privacy anymore because we give it away so freely, that is until something unfortunate happens.


8. (Conclusion) After completing this assignment, based on new thoughts and evidence

a. What new conclusions have you come to about this topic?
After reading this chapter it basically reminded me about things that I already know about such as cookies, or websites gathering information. One thing I will take from this chapter is when I sign up for something online, I usually don’t read the agreements but I will give it a quick look at least to see what I am signing up for. “Technology giveth and technology taketh away.” (http://www.mat.upm.es/~jcm/neil-postman--five-things.html) Technology is innovating, it gives us an infinite amount of information and it allows us to reconnect with friends. Technology so as the Internet after reading this chapter seems to never fully be private because no matter what you do, some type of information will be stored.

b. Below restate your questions from #1 and include the answer based on your new conclusions.
Should the government be allowed to retain any information they want? After reading the chapter I feel the government she be allowed to get any information they need if it pertains to any type of illegal activity. “The USA PATRIOT Act lets the government collect information from financial institutions on any transaction that differ from customer’s usual pattern” (pg.61) Situation like that are perfectly fine with me, but I also feel we need to take the perspective of former Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas “about the potential abuse from government access” (pg. 61)


References:
Baase, Sara. A Gift of Fire. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. Print. Pages 44-127.
http://adage.com/article/news/sony-sustained-brand-damage-hackings/228091/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth#Controversy_and_criticism
http://www.mat.upm.es/~jcm/neil-postman--five-things.html