As a college student, I see the immense power technology holds over our lives. It has the potential to improve our experiences but also the ability to harm us. Every time we open an app, send a message, or post online, we unknowingly leave behind data that forms our digital identity. This digital footprint, constantly being tracked and sold to third parties, often happens without our knowledge or consent. It is alarming how little awareness most people have about this. As digital users, we are part of an economic game, blindly allowing our data to be exploited.
In his TED Talk, "Your Online Life, Permanent as a Tattoo," Juan Enriquez draws a comparison between our digital footprint and a tattoo. One that brands us permanently. These electronic tattoos reveal more than just our interests. They provide tech companies with a pathway to influence and control our lives. And unlike us, our digital footprint will outlive us, leaving behind an immortal trace. When we download apps or use platforms, we often agree to terms and conditions without fully understanding the risks involved. This not only exposes us to potential privacy violations but also leaves our personal data vulnerable. It is a pressing issue, especially for people like me and my peers, who often don't have control over how our personal information is used or misused.
Finn Myrstad, another speaker on this topic, highlighted how tech companies manipulate users into giving up their data without realizing it. He raises an important question, what is the point of locking your house if anyone can access your private life through your devices? This leads to a bigger issue, why hasn’t the government made this a priority? In my view, the government should be held accountable for not regulating the use of surveillance tools and personal data collection by both tech companies and law enforcement. Following international guidelines like the International Principles on the Application of Human Rights to Communications Surveillance would take action to protect users' rights.
Ultimately, change will only come when people fully understand the extent of this invasion and demand action. Until then, we need to protect ourselves by being aware of what we agree to online. This includes limiting the information we share on search engines, social media, and even through emails. It is safest to assume that we are always being watched, so we must advocate for ourselves and stay mindful of our digital presence.
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