Thomas Riley, of the Commonwealth Centre of e-Governance writes in the first of two parts on the impact of technology on privacy and public space.
We are experiencing significant cultural change in societies around the world due to the increasing number of new information and communication technologies coming into the marketplace. These innovations are altering the way we communicate and interact with each other in public spaces. These changes could have significant impacts on our understanding of privacy and the ability to remain anonymous.
A search of the Internet illustrates the rise of technologies that protect the anonymity of individuals. These technologies are not just about protecting privacy but guarding individuals from having their data stolen or from having their activities tracked on the Internet. Such software capabilities provide the ability to stop hackers from getting access to our online transactions that can include emails we send, sites we visit for research purposes or whatever it is we are looking for on the Internet. (anonymity tools: : http://www.anonymizer.com/anonymizer2005/1.5/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=anonymous_surfing_ip_)
|
The evolution of wireless technologies creates even deeper problems.
|
The evolution of wireless technologies creates even deeper problems as without sufficient firewalls or security enhancements in place, it is possible for an individual to use another person’s computer or for an outside user to latch on to your computer and either use your computer hookup for themselves or, the worse case scenario, steal data. The possibilities of harm being inflicted are broad. The issue is paramount now because of the rise of the problem of identity theft though a recent study by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario found that 70% of personal information stolen by identity thieves has been offline.
( Identity theft: : http://www.ipc.on.ca/scripts/index_.asp?
The fact is that our new technologies have brought many challenges to our personal privacy and to desire to remain anonymous in an online world. But as with all new developments in the evolution of societies throughout history every innovation that moves the society forward also contains within it the contradiction of an equal evolution that has deleterious effects on society. One of the most obvious examples in the age of transportation is the possibility of diseases and pandemics to be rapidly transmitted around the world.
Privacy is now facing a new type of contradiction. In the past few decades many countries have embraced the right of privacy of individuals as a human right. The development of fair information practices, independent commissioners to oversee the laws and the right to redress by the individual if there is a perceived privacy violation, has resulted in a strong privacy ethnic in many societies. While individuals on the whole are not necessarily versed in the depth and mechanics of privacy laws many people are aware that they have the right of privacy and the right of a private space, if they so choose. The right of privacy, security and confidentiality in our society and in our legal system is strong. However, there is something that needs to be considered in the privacy mix and that is the cultural changes ongoing in our society.
Technologies over the past decade have become very intrusive and have radically changed the way we communicate. The most obvious example is the cell phone. Another one is the emergence of digital cameras. These two technologies alone are what I would call “privacy busters”. Walking down the street recently, I observed an individual busy with his digital camera taking pictures – perhaps, for posting on the Internet? He was not going around asking permission to use the pictures and who knows where these pictures ended up? Obtrusive surveillance cameras, secret videotaping of someone else in their home or placing cameras in public spaces, such as washrooms, to record people’s private activities, are widespread. Many such violations of people’s physical privacy have ended up in the media or the courts.
|
...increasingly visible and comfortable in sharing personal information in public.
|
However, there is now a new phenomenon of people wanting their privacy on one hand but becoming increasingly visible and comfortable in sharing personal information in public. This move from private to public space is as a result of the ever-growing sophisticated communication technologies. Not too long ago I was on a train in England traveling from London to Oxford. There were dozens of passengers (literally) engaged in exchanging conversations on mobile phones and, in the process, letting out any amount of personal information – including where one was going (address), or the number of a land line phone the individual could be reached at. Another man was busy giving out the address of a friend. Across from me was a businessman busy talking on his mobile and transmitting all manner of information about his business. His laptop was open and running plugged into another mobile allowing him to transmit information back to his office – all of which I could see.
This phenomenon in the UK is partly because of the large number of people who commute to London or other destinations for their work. In fact, there has been so much chatter on the trains a public debate has arisen about how this can be curtailed.
The issue of communicating in public is probably not going to be changed anytime soon as people have adapted to this technology and find it convenient and useful for what are their individual purposes. For example, a recent survey has shown that 71 percent of the 108 million households in the United States have at least one cell phone.
(usage : http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/17/wireless.overview/index.html)
The abundance of cell phones is just as evident here in Canada. And the number of phones coming on the market will grow and change. Already, cell phones are no longer just an extension of the landline telephone. Now phones are combined to have many functions, like the Blackberry. It is a cell phone, an Internet access tool, email facility, voice box utility for voice mail messages and text messaging. The enhancements will grow as we become, literally, integrated with these new technologies.
Thomas Riley is the co-Founder, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Centre for Electronic Governance, a think-tank set up under a Commonwealth Secretariat programme in London. He is also the President of Riley Information Services, a consultant and advisor specialising in national and international IT policy development, and a Visiting Professor of Law and Technology at the University of Glasgow.
He is available for consultations, preparation of reports, presenting workshops or delivering speeches at conferences and seminars on information issues, security, e-government, e-Governance and eDemocracy.
