challenges associated with the use of the internet

 challenges associated with the use of the internet

Most people advocate for a right to privacy. Indeed, several philosophers have justified a right to privacy on internet activities such as online shopping. However, some researchers argue that some circumstances call measures against the right of privacy for the benefit of public good as well as honoring others’ rights. According to a study conducted by consumer surveys, concerns about privacy is one of the reasons discouraging consumers from using internet services such as online shopping. As a result, the topic of whether greater government regulation is the answer to privacy concerns o the internet remains. Given the wide variety of challenges associated with the use of the internet as well as the narrow scope of its users’ knowledge and skills, greater government regulation is the answer to privacy concerns of the internet.

In a recent study conducted by Pew Research Center (PRC), approximately 70% of Americans use social media. Despite the internet-based economy offering numerous benefits, concerns for maintaining information privacy have risen in the recent past as the number of internet users continues growing. Internet privacy refers to the security level and privacy of personal data published through the internet. As such, internet privacy advocates for a variety of technologies, factors, as well as techniques to protect private and sensitive communications, data, and preferences. Poushter (2014) states that internet privacy concerns in the United States, as well as other developed nations, are warranted. According to statistics from PRC, 91% of Americans agree that personal information use, as well as the collection, has been lost among most internet users. The study further stated that 74% of Americans believe that they should be in full control of who can access information about them (Poushter, 2014). On the same note, 65% of American internet users believe that they should control all information collected about them

Although most people believe that they should be in full control of their privacy as far as internet use is concerned, many experts posit that only a few individuals have the resources and or energy to protect themselves from data breaches. As a result, concerns over the use of personal information, data collection, as well as overall privacy contradict social media norms. For instance, a survey conducted in July 2015 on households using the internet, about 19 million, which represent 19% households, reported scenarios of identity theft, online security breach, or malicious-related activity under less than a period of one year (Turow, Hennessy, & Draper, 2018). Besides, the study showed that security breaches were common among households who used the internet intensively. Notably, the security breach was more common to families using at least five different online devices. Turow, Hennessy, and Draper note that, while there are security breach measures, they do not consider users’ concerns about the unauthorized use of personal data supplied by service providers.

While households are the most vulnerable consumers, companies’ information can be stolen if they pay little attention, especially to the red flag indicating possible software problems. Besides, consumers’ IP addresses may be tracked, thereby undermining their security as well as their devices. For example, an individual’s name and photos may be available through search engines, depending on social media policies and privacy settings. History has revealed some scandals of several social media sites involving consumers’ tracking. Therefore, the government is the answer to not only our privacy but also security.

The incidents, as mentioned earlier, vindicate how significant greater government regulation is. Privacy helps us maintain individuality and autonomy. The American privacy allows cultures as well as subcultures to define how their data moves in the society and economy at large (Antoci, Bonelli, Paglieri, Reggiani, & Sabatini, 2019). The functional benefits of privacy make it essential. Notably, personal data makes vital decisions in our lives. As a result, the data can affect our reputation, shape our behavior, and used to influences our choices as well as decisions. This means that the internet can be used as a tool to exercise human control. In the wrong hands, personal information can cause humans great harm. Besides, withholding information, especially which relates to breaches, and releasing it later spells disaster for platforms.

In recent years, specific incidents have occurred in social media such as human tracking, legal and ethical issues like screening potential job candidates based on gender, national origin, race, age, color, and disability can be protected when greater government regulation is involved (Antoci, Bonelli, Paglieri, Reggiani, & Sabatini, 2019). Although, the current laws rely heavily on consent and notice, privacy policies and privacy policies people encounter online, boxes they sign in among others encourage deceptive acts and practices when the service providers and companies fail to protect them. While informed consent would have been effective two decades ago, it is fantasy in the contemporary world. In an engaging and constant stream of interactions via the internet, it is almost impossible to read through internet privacy policies. Antoci et al. posit that people do not read through privacy policies hence creating opportunities for malicious people to expose privacy. As a result, greater government regulation is the answer to privacy concerns of the internet.