Is Privacy Dead?
Every time that we as consumers of the internet and media choose to upload a personal detail about ourselves we are weakening our own privacy. Many tattoos tell a story, just like our online footprints tell a story. A tattoo is permanent (for the most part) just like an electronic tattoo. People who have had a tattoo say it hurts more to get it removed than it does to get a tattoo. It is hard and painful to try and erase an electronic tattoo. Hitting “Delete” or “Deactivate” does not really take away your online presence. A prime example of this is Cancel Culture from new breakout stars getting hype, popularity, and growth spurt in their following just for it to be found out that they are racist, homophobic, or have a personal secret exposed. Many celebrities from J.K. Rowling to Chrissy Teigen have had other internet users lash out at them.
Police departments and other federal agencies are tracking people’s movements through their license plate. In March 2019, the American Civil Liberties Union found that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents were using license readers to track people’s movements. One of the many times Americans were not aware that they are being tracked, but when COVID-19 hit there were talks about cellphone trackage to help track cross contamination. Yes, this tracking can be good in terms of finding criminals and helping solve crimes. However, the thought of “having it just in case” can be damaging because if people’s personal data, data that they are sometimes unaware is being tracked, gets into the wrong hands by accident or on purpose it can be detrimental.
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