While mobile technologies positively transform the experiences of citizens in relation to the state they are also risky which in turn could mean loss of privacy for citizens- Thomas Riley explores.
Ever changing and emerging new technologies continue to present challenges to our individual privacy. In a world in which mobile technologies make it possible to be online at any given moment and in any place day or night can result in privacy breaches. Mobile phones represent a challenge to protecting our individual privacy because they are ubiquitous and now have the capacity to store multiple pieces of data. Security and privacy are primary issues in using mobile phones.
Mobile phones are now key technologies in adapting e-government policies and programs. Increasingly, public servants and citizens alike walk around with mobiles that contain programs, addresses, saved text messages and different forms of information, that are equal to the amount of data that can be found on laptop and desktop computers. Ubiquitous access to the Internet, to one’s own computer and other functions are now common by public sector officials and people in the private sector. Carrying around a mobile has its advantages and its risks. For example, there are many stories in newspapers around the world regarding the theft of millions of pieces of data from cyber thieves. Some of this is a result of hacking. Much of the risk comes from people who leave sensitive government data in their laptops which in turn get stolen. This is why policies are needed as how to prevent and protect loss of sensitive or secret government data.
One of the most enduring policy issues is privacy. In the development of e-government practices and principles over the years, privacy and security have become key factors to ensure success of online programs. Both of these are important issues due to the changing nature of technologies and the way people react and use these technologies. From an e-government perspective in government the new technologies are invaluable in connecting with citizens. Privacy is an important value and in surveys on e-government implementation the issue arises of people wanting assurances that their personal information is secure. Beyond privacy there are the security issues on a broader scale, where we are seeing the rise in spam, spyware, ad-aware, phishing, identity fraud and a host of other hacker activities (good or bad) that make people uneasy when going online. Governments who have evolved e-government and digital strategies have put a lot of emphasis on the importance of security and on ensuring that secure networks are viable.
E-government is growing at a rapid rate around the world. It is now estimated that 94% of countries in the world have some form of online services. The degree of e-government programs varies greatly from country to country. However, it is clear that with e-government online services there is a need to ensure that a whole series of policy measures are needed. As noted above, one of the essential policies for good governance is privacy laws and security measures to protect individuals who go online to take advantage of online government programs and services. Privacy and security are essential to ensure the growth of e-government. Another central issue is the importance of technologies that enhance online privacy and ensure that individuals’ personal privacy is protected.
Privacy is important in the minds of individuals and a lack of privacy or security and the possibility that an individual's personal information might be used for purposes other than what they are providing for on the online service, can have deleterious effects on an e-government program. In a democracy, technologies that inhibit or potentially erode privacy then become important social and legal issues. This is explored further below in this paper.