Technology has revolutionized the world. Social media is at the forefront of all this change. The way we interact with each other is not the same as it was prior to the internet. The internet offers both advantages and disadvantages. There is no denying that it has made our lives a lot easier and that it would be impossible to live without the internet. However, the internet has its fair share of drawbacks and if nothing is done to control such issues, then it would only give to rise to uncertainty over user safety online.
The weaknesses of cybersecurity are being exploited by hackers and they are working towards finding ways to get their hands of your sensitive information so that they can use it for their own benefit. It can be costly if such an incident occurs. This is why awareness is needed among internet users to be cautious and to take precautions at all time. For instance, using public wifi is not safe and it is possible for malware to make its way into your digital devices when you use public wifi.
Sharing of personal information has become common. With the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, people have gotten into the habit of over-sharing. Personal information such as date of birth, location, and even name of parents is shared online by people. Such information is extremely sensitive yet people tend to share it online.
There has been a trend around the world where tech giants like Facebook have started to accumulate personal information of consumers and are selling it at the expense of consumers’ personal information. Corporations use this information to target consumers fiercely in order to sell their products or services. This has led to an increase in people opting out of using social media altogether. Laws around the world are outdated when it comes to issues regarding personal data privacy. People have realized this and are protesting against governments to take action to protect their personal freedom.
Technology is replacing just about every single aspect of our lives. Jobs are being automated and data is the most valuable asset. Companies have started to exploit consumer data to achieve better results and such attempts have started to bear fruit. However, it is important to consider at what cost this growth is occurring. If businesses do not take a step back, then consumers might boycott their products or services altogether in order to take back their freedom. Consumers need to be given the freedom to choose what they want and to be able to search for what they want without having thousands of relevant suggestions on their news feed or instagram account. The following are some of the concerns that people are facing across the world and if nothing is done to make changes, then it might be too late.
Consumer Targeting and Profiling
Companies have started to target consumers by creating separate profiles for each consumer. All the buying patterns of consumers are analyzed and stored. This information is used and sold by the companies to target consumers. Moreover, consumers get no benefit or profit from such activities. It can be discerning for consumers to watch huge corporations profit off from their personal information even though they have a right to protection of their personal information.
Marketing has become extremely competitive. Companies are using the information obtained from tech corporations to sell their products. This has made consumers wary of sharing personal information online. Pressure groups have brought these issues to the attention of governments. Political candidates have realized that in order to win, it is vital to incorporate tech-related issues like data privacy into their political campaigns.
Changes around the World
Some governments are taking notice and have begun making changes to laws to incorporate the latest innovations in technology. However, the truth is that enforcement of such laws is slow. There is plenty of room for development of systems that tackle all types of issues. The European Union and Canadian governments have enacted their own versions of laws to enforce competition and protect the freedom of their respective residents.
One of the key issues covered in the laws such as the European Union’s GDPR and the similar Canadian law is breach of privacy. The respective governments have made it mandatory for corporations to notify when there is a breach and to keep record of the breach for up to two years.
The right to be forgotten is another issue that is covered in the laws. It gives consumers the right to have their information deleted to ensure that it is not used or sold by any other corporation. It can be scary for consumers to encounter companies that fiercely target them.
Countries like Pakistan and Turkey have also enacted their own laws keeping in view of the GDPR. All these changes suggest a positive change that is sweeping across the world. Sharing of personal data is a serious issue across the world. Many countries are still far behind when it comes to incorporating laws that tackle all types of issues. There is a need for a global standard that counters all these concerns.
For instance, in the United States, each state has autonomy over making its own laws keeping in view of the rights conferred as per the American Constitution. However, this has led to many of the state laws being inconsistent and even inadequate. California is one of the states that created its own type of GDPR law. It grants every Californian with the right to self-determination. Although majority of the tech unicorns in the world can be found in California (the Silicon Valley), the state is concerned about the lives of its residents online. Other states are also following suit and have made proposals to somewhat copy the objectives of the Californian law.
Facebook is the largest tech enterprise in the world and it has been found breaching the rights of its consumers. The US government has taken strict action against the tech giant and has ordered it to pay penalties for such activities. Facebook is just an example of what the few major tech players have the power to do and how it is important for governments to have a framework in place to counter anti-competitive behavior. Tech companies do not have any right to exploit the right to privacy that is granted to every individual. In order to attract consumers to continue using Facebook, the company is making many changes to its system and has ambitious plans to change the news feeds altogether.
Facebook wants to promote journalism and has even made plans to pay key contributors. It is dedicated to changing the way the personal information of consumers is used, stored and managed. Other tech enterprises have started to follow and have made changes to show consumers that their demands are heard. There is a trend across the world where consumers have started to take action and believe that they have the responsibility to influence tech companies.
Due to information being shared across multiple platforms with just a click of a button or tap on the screen, critical issues are being shared online faster than ever before. Across Europe, millennials have decided to give up on Facebook and have even taken extreme measures such as deletion of their Facebook accounts. This has further alarmed Facebook and other tech giants. Such consumer behavior has proven to be useful. As more and more people become aware of terms such as surveillance and cybersecurity, companies have to ensure that maximum protection is guaranteed if they are to ensure that consumers continue to use their respective services.
Cybersecurity
Both multinational and small companies can find themselves facing lawsuits due to breach of privacy. Hackers use sophisticated techniques these days to hack into the computers or any other digital device of people. Most of our personal information can be found in our digital devices. This has led to a rise in anti-hacking software. However, such software still does not offer 100 percent protection from these incidents.
Tech companies are required to upgrade the existing infrastructure to ensure cybersecurity is not easily infiltrated. Pressure groups are promoting these issues and have protested continuously to get the attention of their governments to take action against the leniency of tech companies.
The Need for a Cohesive Framework
The need of the hour is to have a cohesive framework in place that is implemented throughout the world. It should take into account all of the issues that have been raised by the public. Such a framework would help promote competition and prevent companies from producing software, websites or digital devices that lack critical features with regards to safety.
Collaboration between the Public, Government and Tech Corporations
One of the best ways to achieve a global framework that prevents any type of anti-competitive behavior is through collaboration between the public, government and tech corporations. All of the stakeholders will need to come together if change is to be brought forward. All issues that have been raised should be discussed between the concerned parties.
Only through collaboration can many of the issues be solved. There are certain things that have to be taken into account if a mutual understanding is to be achieved. With innovations changing just about everything and how we share our personal information, it is time that the public stood up to fight for their rights and worked closely for a resolution.
Importance of an Attorney Who Specializes in Information Technology
The demand for an information technology attorney is on the rise. With there being many issues related to privacy online, individuals and even companies require the help of an attorney who has expertise in dealing with such issues. It could make a huge difference to have a specialized attorney by your side. Make sure to speak with a few attorneys before you decide on hiring one as it is important that you get an idea of how the attorney works. Inquire about his or her past experiences, certifications, licenses and more to get a better idea of whether the lawyer is the right one for you or not.
Whenever a business faces a tough technology legal dispute, there is a need to negotiate all complex information technology transactions. As it becomes more difficult to handle technological issues, you might find yourself in need of an information technology attorney/ arbitrator to help ensure that your rights are protected.
As cybercrime becomes more common, it is crucial to speak with an information technology attorney who has knowledge over all the relevant laws that help protect your rights online. The attorney will be able to fight for your rights and will make sure that your voice is heard.
Do not make the mistake of simply looking at cost when hiring an attorney as it might cost you more in the long-term if you hire the wrong attorney. Make sure to ask around for references before you hire an attorney. Personal references can be extremely useful.
Peter Brown is the ultimate option as he is an expert when it comes to settling disputes concerning information technology issues. Peter Browns understands the practical needs of parties that are involved. With over 25 years of experience in dealing with information technology and intellectual property matters, Peter Brown is your best option. He has worked as a partner for some of the largest national law firms in New York City and had also been honored as the Lawyer of the Year in Information Technology Law in the year 2018.