Privacy Online and Off 

This week's class and videos made me think differently about privacy and the amount of information being collected about us every day. Before this lesson, I knew companies and websites collected data, but I did not realize how much information can be gathered from things we do every day, such as driving, using social media, shopping online, or simply carrying our phones.

One topic that stood out to me was automatic license plate readers. These cameras can track where vehicles travel and 

create records of people's movements. What surprised me most was the idea that information can be collected about people who have not committed any crimes. The videos showed how location data can create a detailed picture of someone's daily life.

These issues affect me because I use technology constantly. My phone, online accounts, social media, and internet searches all create data that can be collected and stored. I never really thought about how all of those small pieces of information could be combined into what the class called a digital dossier, which is a detailed profile built from many different data points.

My friends and family are affected in the same way. Most people use smartphones, shop online, stream videos, and communicate through apps every day. The class discussion showed that companies can collect information about what we search for, what we buy, where we go, and what we post online. Even smart devices in our homes can collect information about us.

Another point that caught my attention was how information can be shared with third parties. Once we give information to a company, we may lose control over where that information goes. It can be shared, sold, or passed along to other organizations. That is concerning because most people probably do not know how many companies may have access to their information.

I think the government should continue allowing surveillance tools that help solve crimes, but there should be limits and oversight. Information about innocent people should not be stored forever. One idea mentioned in the video was requiring police departments to delete information that is not connected to criminal activity while still allowing legitimate law-enforcement uses.

The government should also make sure surveillance technology is not abused. The class discussed examples where powerful tools were potentially misused, which shows why accountability is important. Clear rules can help protect both public safety and individual privacy.

There are also things we can do to protect ourselves from invasions of privacy. One of the biggest lessons from class was to be more careful about the personal information we share. Phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and social media posts may seem harmless, but they all have value.

Good tech habits can also make a difference. Reviewing privacy settings, deleting cookies and browsing history, and being careful about which websites and apps we trust can help reduce some types of tracking. We should also think

carefully before giving out personal information unless it is truly necessary.

Another important lesson was to think before posting online. The videos explained that our digital footprints can last for a long time. Pictures, comments, and posts can be copied, shared, screenshotted, and reposted even after they are deleted. Something that seems harmless today could affect how others view us years later.

As a college student, that part really stood out to me. Future employers often search for applicants online, and what they find can influence their opinions. This is why it is important to create a professional online presence and be careful about what we share with the public.

My biggest takeaway from this week's materials is that personal information has value. Technology has made it easier than ever for governments, companies, and advertisers to collect information about people. While data collection can make services and advertising more efficient, it also creates serious privacy concerns. Because of that, we need both responsible laws and smart personal choices to protect our privacy in the digital world.

AI Disclosure: AI was used to format it into a blog post. It was a collaboration using Microsoft Copilot. I took notes while watching two Ted Talk Videos. I promoted Microsoft Copilot to help me improve the text by correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I asked it to help shape my notes into a blog post in an academic professional style. Lastly, I added links and images so the reader can get a better understanding of the information.