The Legal Way

Professor Anne Toomey McKenna looks at the many ways that our information being recorded for these companies is being used. She questions if these ways are legal. She finds that there are many loop holes and ways around collecting this information and how the companies are able to buy it and use it. This creates a mistrust in users, as the lines are never clear as to what’s black and white.

I can see why companies would like to have consumers predicted and anticipated behavioral patterns. This can lead to truly understanding a person and what makes them who they are. Again this is very private information as well, so this is clear undermining of evoking the right to privacy. These companies have studied the loopholes and will continue to use this information as a way to keep up with their consumers. This is all for long term finical gain and complexity disregards consumers thoughts.

“The informations is a cost – effective way to surveil virtually everyone, plus it provides far more sophisticated data than traditional electronic surveillance tools or methods like wiretapping and location tracking. ” This statement from the article truly presents the idea surrounding the reasons why data collection is appreciated and used by big data companies. The sale of information being so widespread will continue to be more opportunistic for companies and less privacy based for consumers. “This data provides companies and governments a window into the “Internet of Behaviors”, a combination of data collection and analysis aimed at understanding and predicting people’s behavior.” This statement is given int he article written by Professor McKenna.

“The office of the Director of National Intelligence report warns that the increasing volume and widespread availability of commercially available information poses “significant threats to privacy and civil liberties.” Both ending statements are true as I have said earlier in my blog post. Privacy and civil liberties are being tested greatly. Where exactly can we draw the line if things are not so clear when it comes to exceptions.