Privacy Shifting

How It’s Developing

Social media, mobile technologies, and internet-connected objects have introduced new conveniences and increased opportunities to connect and socialize with others. These technologies, however, in order to work, require individuals to provide information that is shared with either the public and/or with the companies that support them. Accounts are created, information is broadcast, and activity is collected, monitored, and analyzed. This has become the norm for social media, where many people have accepted the benefits of these services at the expense of the value of the information shared. Others, realizing that posting information surrenders future control over that information (and surrenders the value of that information to the benefit of companies), have chosen to balance their desire to communicate and engage by curbing their use and limiting the information shared with companies and/or the public. [1] 

Emerging trends, including the Internet of Things, which will introduce a multitude of uniquely identifiable devices connected to the internet, will increase the likelihood and inevitability of sharing personal information with companies and/or the public. The “smart home” composed of internet-connected devices raises privacy issues ranging from shared passwords and accounts across family members and home helpers (babysitters, house cleaners, building superintendents, etc.) to the threat of hacked software, malware, or the release of revealing data. [2]  Smart devices collect and store information related to personal preferences like temperature or lighting and patterns like the time families arrive home or how frequently an individual exercises. Individually, these data points might not cause concern, but when put together, they might reveal intimate details individuals may not want shared.    

Mobile technologies present additional concerns as they are brought into public spaces. Similar to concerns first raised when cameras and other recording devices were introduced on mobile phones, the introduction of Google Glass raised concern over the device’s recording and photography features and led some restaurants, bars, and other venues to ban the device. [3] Drones may present similar concerns, especially as they become smarter, more autonomous, smaller and cheaper. They have the potential to photograph, document, and, if used maliciously, to spy on unsuspecting citizens. [4]  

The market for personal data – fed by data miners and sustained by marketers, financial institutions, and even employers – will spur the development of classification lists that take available personal data and compile segmented lists providing specific information about individuals. [5] These lists may prove inaccurate, improperly anonymized, and ultimately may be linkable to the real identities of individuals.   

Younger generations, including those dubbed “digital natives” that have grown up with social media as a part of their lives, may approach the sharing of information differently than previous generations. Even as younger generations may be viewed as less concerned about privacy, the rise of anonymous tools and products like Snapchat, which deletes messages once viewed by participants, could indicate a desire to minimize the digital trail created by applications. [6] Across generations, concerns for privacy may dissipate with time as specific technologies take hold or as people become aware of a technology’s benefits and value those over their value for privacy. [7] 

Why It Matters

The less technologically skilled – but also the technologically obsessed – may need to be made aware of the privacy concerns raised by new technologies and may need help in managing their privacy while benefiting from its use

Younger generations may lead a change in society’s value for privacy, or they may grow into current values for privacy, especially as they enter higher education and professional careers. [8] They may need support in adapting to other generations’ perceptions of privacy. [9]

A middle ground may be sought where information sharing is promoted, but with a goal of developing robust online identities, creating community, and advancing personal goals, while still preserving certain amounts of privacy. [10]

Increasing attention is being paid to "shadow profiles" that may be developed and maintained by companies. These profiles, based on community members’ contacts and relationships, could provide detailed information on people who aren’t on a particular social network but are connected to people who are. [11]