{"id":289,"date":"2024-12-18T20:38:23","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T20:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/books.chrisfriend.us\/3080\/?post_type=chapter&p=289"},"modified":"2025-01-09T00:40:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T00:40:47","slug":"privacy-agency-on-the-web-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/books.chrisfriend.us\/3080\/chapter\/privacy-agency-on-the-web-2\/","title":{"raw":"Privacy and Agency on the Web","rendered":"Privacy and Agency on the Web"},"content":{"raw":"

\"\"<\/h1>\r\n

Overview<\/h1>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe internet is an amazing place where individuals can share thoughts, ideas, memories and connect like never before. However, in a way we are all like kids in a candy store when it comes to online spaces. Online platforms provide us with a wealth of information and access to do almost everything and anything. To the extent that many of us get so immersed in its engaging and addictive nature that we become blind or unaware of the inner workings of these platforms. What is at stake is our privacy and information being spread around many times without our knowledge. These practices have been going on for years now, however, there is not enough conversation regarding our online interactions and just how involved technology has become in our lives. Everything that we interact with on the web whether it be clicking on a link, liking a video, or sharing a post are all contributions to data that take our information and use it for their benefit. The intricacies have gone beyond what we could have ever imagined, collecting information from our lives that, to be frank, we don\u2019t even know about ourselves. A common example of this is the yearly Spotify Wrapped or Apple Music Replay, which is basically a culmination of music data that your preferred music platform has collected over the years. Information such as the top song you\u2019ve listened to; the minutes you\u2019ve listened to, and top genres are all collected. In the end, these are personal details that only the companies and platforms we interact with truly know.\r\n
\r\n

Review Question<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\nWhat are some ways our online interactions, like liking a post or sharing a video, contribute to data collection, and why should we be more aware of it?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Information Privacy<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nSuppose you trust someone with something valuable. Whether it be something minor like your favorite book or more serious like the keys to your house. You\u2019d expect the individual to have decent respect for your things and keep them protected and safe. Now imagine that same individual, purposefully giving, let's say, the keys to your house to a complete stranger... Number one, major red flag and number two change your locks immediately! However, when we think of privacy in the digital realm, these practices of information distribution are happening daily, without many of us knowing. Lindsey C. Kim discusses the essential elements of digital privacy in her article \u201cUnderstanding and Maintaining Your Privacy When Writing with Digital Technologies.\u201d<\/a> She introduced me to the concept of networked activity which is anything you do while using a device or service connected to the internet. This means that when we interact with the online world, we are allowing the system to access our devices and circulate on the web. Where does it circulate? That depends on whether or not you want to allow for a personalized experience. [pb_glossary id=\"124\"]Cookies[\/pb_glossary], which are small text files that store information about your visit, and play a big part in this experience. Third-party cookies which are placed on a website other than the one you are visiting and have the ability to track a user's activity to target them for personalized information. Oftentimes these accept or reject pop ups entice the user to click accept by associating the button with color green or making it bigger, while making the reject button smaller and the color red. These colors and sizes tell us that one option is better than the other utilizing [pb_glossary id=\"154\"]visual rhetoric[\/pb_glossary] strategies, however that is just not true. Rejecting these cookies just results in a less personalized browsing experience such as not saving login information or saved changes to your shopping cart. In the grand scheme of things, these are trivial matters to more complicated scenarios such as identity theft (yikes).\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Review Question<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

What are cookies and how do they impact your web interaction?<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nAgency<\/span>\r\n

In a generation where everyone is chronically online, fixated to their devices, and unaware of third-party technologies it is easy to easy to ignore reality and continue to interact online unaware of one's Agency. [pb_glossary id=\"34\"]Agency[\/pb_glossary] is the ability to create an impact through your actions. Understanding that you have control over privacy online and there are actions you can take to secure your information. The dreaded \"Terms and Service Agreements\" that many of us don\u2019t even bother entertaining are purposefully designed to include complicated and confusing language that many of us do not understand. They purposefully do this to disinterest consumers from informing themselves on how their platforms will inevitably use your data and information. Fortunately, there are sites such as ToSDR, or \u201cTerms of Service; Didn\u2019t Read\" which summarize and rate policies that break down these confusing articles to terms that average people can understand. In addition, most sites include their privacy policy, however in countries like the United States there are no national privacy laws (Klosowski <\/a>). This means that companies can collect your data and distribute it however they please along as they give you some sort of notice.<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0Just like everything else in life having an online presence comes with following the rules and regulations while also looking out for yourself. Having a negative online presence can negatively affect your life. For example, when it comes to pursuing a career, an unprofessional or inappropriate online presence can deter employers from hiring you. In that same breath, it can lead to you getting laid off. By being aware and cognizant of your actions online, you can avoid potentially risking your career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\r\n

Review Question<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

What are the ways that you exhibit agency within online spaces?<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nAlgorithms and Personalized Information<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nThere is a reason you cannot go more than a couple minutes without picking up your devices or jumping at the sound your phone makes when you receive a notification. This classical conditioning (shout out to Pavlov) just scratches the surface area of targeted platform engagement and involvement. Algorithms are essentially filters, showing you information they think is relevant based on things you interact with, while simultaneously blocking out everything else. It's unsettling to realize there's a whole world of information out there being intentionally kept from you by platforms designed to assume you think a certain way. Algorithms are programmed to cater and agree to everything you say, hardly ever challenging your thoughts or beliefs. In hindsight, this is amazing if you want to indulge in biased information. However, in all actuality this is very damaging to the human experience of having perspectives, sharing stories and information that are beyond what you see every day.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn addition, the algorithm's goal is to keep you engaged and feeding you content you enjoy. The more you engage, the more they can collect your data and revenue. According to statista.com, In 2023, Facebook led U.S social media platforms in advertising revenue, earning $36.3 billion (\u201cU.S. Social Media Ad Revenue by Platform 2019\u201d<\/a>).\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nAlgorithms have significant influence on our lives. For example. The social media platform Pinterest launched a fairly new program called Pinterest Predicts where they predict the upcoming trends for the new year. According to their website they analyze billions of data points from the platform\u2019s searches and engagement. This reveals to us that all of our actions online have impact in one way shape or form. Platforms like Pinterest influence the clothes we wear, buy, and indulge in.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Review Questions<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

How have algorithms impacted your platform viewing experience?<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nMaintaining Your Privacy Online<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nDigital privacy goes beyond keeping your accounts private or making sure you have a strong password to go with it. There are various ways you can limit data tracking, in addition to ToSDr, Ghostery is a browser extension that detects and blocks third-party tracking technologies. I like to think of these third-party tracking technologies as undercover spies seeking information for their own personal gain. While browsers like Ghostery act as your own personal security guard, protecting you from alarming activity.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn closing, taking control of your life and minimizing distractions that online platforms can induce is a skill that many must learn to master. The notifications that we receive every day create minute distractions that are taking your attention away from important activities in our everyday life. When I know I need to focus on a certain task, I will typically put my device on do not to disturb or turn my device off completely. This allows me to have a clear and uninterrupted space where I can effectively and efficiently work towards my goals. Self-constraint plays a big role as we continue navigating this increasingly digital world. Maintaining strong boundaries and educating yourself on safe digital practices is a crucial steppingstone in enforcing digital privacy and agency.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Review Question<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

How do you maintain boundaries when it comes to your online information?<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n\r\nReview Question:\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. How do algorithms and data tracking shape what we see and share online?<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Do privacy policies and terms of service give us real control over our data, or just make it harder to know what\u2019s going on?<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. How can we stay in control of our online experience with all the ads and algorithms out there?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

    \"\"<\/h1>\n

    Overview<\/h1>\n
    \n

    The internet is an amazing place where individuals can share thoughts, ideas, memories and connect like never before. However, in a way we are all like kids in a candy store when it comes to online spaces. Online platforms provide us with a wealth of information and access to do almost everything and anything. To the extent that many of us get so immersed in its engaging and addictive nature that we become blind or unaware of the inner workings of these platforms. What is at stake is our privacy and information being spread around many times without our knowledge. These practices have been going on for years now, however, there is not enough conversation regarding our online interactions and just how involved technology has become in our lives. Everything that we interact with on the web whether it be clicking on a link, liking a video, or sharing a post are all contributions to data that take our information and use it for their benefit. The intricacies have gone beyond what we could have ever imagined, collecting information from our lives that, to be frank, we don\u2019t even know about ourselves. A common example of this is the yearly Spotify Wrapped or Apple Music Replay, which is basically a culmination of music data that your preferred music platform has collected over the years. Information such as the top song you\u2019ve listened to; the minutes you\u2019ve listened to, and top genres are all collected. In the end, these are personal details that only the companies and platforms we interact with truly know.<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n

    Review Question<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    \n

    What are some ways our online interactions, like liking a post or sharing a video, contribute to data collection, and why should we be more aware of it?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Information Privacy<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
    \n

    Suppose you trust someone with something valuable. Whether it be something minor like your favorite book or more serious like the keys to your house. You\u2019d expect the individual to have decent respect for your things and keep them protected and safe. Now imagine that same individual, purposefully giving, let’s say, the keys to your house to a complete stranger… Number one, major red flag and number two change your locks immediately! However, when we think of privacy in the digital realm, these practices of information distribution are happening daily, without many of us knowing. Lindsey C. Kim discusses the essential elements of digital privacy in her article \u201cUnderstanding and Maintaining Your Privacy When Writing with Digital Technologies.\u201d<\/a> She introduced me to the concept of networked activity which is anything you do while using a device or service connected to the internet. This means that when we interact with the online world, we are allowing the system to access our devices and circulate on the web. Where does it circulate? That depends on whether or not you want to allow for a personalized experience. Cookies<\/a>, which are small text files that store information about your visit, and play a big part in this experience. Third-party cookies which are placed on a website other than the one you are visiting and have the ability to track a user’s activity to target them for personalized information. Oftentimes these accept or reject pop ups entice the user to click accept by associating the button with color green or making it bigger, while making the reject button smaller and the color red. These colors and sizes tell us that one option is better than the other utilizing visual rhetoric<\/a> strategies, however that is just not true. Rejecting these cookies just results in a less personalized browsing experience such as not saving login information or saved changes to your shopping cart. In the grand scheme of things, these are trivial matters to more complicated scenarios such as identity theft (yikes).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Review Question<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    What are cookies and how do they impact your web interaction?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Agency<\/span><\/p>\n

    In a generation where everyone is chronically online, fixated to their devices, and unaware of third-party technologies it is easy to easy to ignore reality and continue to interact online unaware of one’s Agency. Agency<\/a> is the ability to create an impact through your actions. Understanding that you have control over privacy online and there are actions you can take to secure your information. The dreaded “Terms and Service Agreements” that many of us don\u2019t even bother entertaining are purposefully designed to include complicated and confusing language that many of us do not understand. They purposefully do this to disinterest consumers from informing themselves on how their platforms will inevitably use your data and information. Fortunately, there are sites such as ToSDR, or \u201cTerms of Service; Didn\u2019t Read” which summarize and rate policies that break down these confusing articles to terms that average people can understand. In addition, most sites include their privacy policy, however in countries like the United States there are no national privacy laws (Klosowski <\/a>). This means that companies can collect your data and distribute it however they please along as they give you some sort of notice.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0Just like everything else in life having an online presence comes with following the rules and regulations while also looking out for yourself. Having a negative online presence can negatively affect your life. For example, when it comes to pursuing a career, an unprofessional or inappropriate online presence can deter employers from hiring you. In that same breath, it can lead to you getting laid off. By being aware and cognizant of your actions online, you can avoid potentially risking your career.<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Review Question<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    What are the ways that you exhibit agency within online spaces?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Algorithms and Personalized Information<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    There is a reason you cannot go more than a couple minutes without picking up your devices or jumping at the sound your phone makes when you receive a notification. This classical conditioning (shout out to Pavlov) just scratches the surface area of targeted platform engagement and involvement. Algorithms are essentially filters, showing you information they think is relevant based on things you interact with, while simultaneously blocking out everything else. It’s unsettling to realize there’s a whole world of information out there being intentionally kept from you by platforms designed to assume you think a certain way. Algorithms are programmed to cater and agree to everything you say, hardly ever challenging your thoughts or beliefs. In hindsight, this is amazing if you want to indulge in biased information. However, in all actuality this is very damaging to the human experience of having perspectives, sharing stories and information that are beyond what you see every day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    In addition, the algorithm’s goal is to keep you engaged and feeding you content you enjoy. The more you engage, the more they can collect your data and revenue. According to statista.com, In 2023, Facebook led U.S social media platforms in advertising revenue, earning $36.3 billion (\u201cU.S. Social Media Ad Revenue by Platform 2019\u201d<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Algorithms have significant influence on our lives. For example. The social media platform Pinterest launched a fairly new program called Pinterest Predicts where they predict the upcoming trends for the new year. According to their website they analyze billions of data points from the platform\u2019s searches and engagement. This reveals to us that all of our actions online have impact in one way shape or form. Platforms like Pinterest influence the clothes we wear, buy, and indulge in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Review Questions<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    How have algorithms impacted your platform viewing experience?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Maintaining Your Privacy Online<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Digital privacy goes beyond keeping your accounts private or making sure you have a strong password to go with it. There are various ways you can limit data tracking, in addition to ToSDr, Ghostery is a browser extension that detects and blocks third-party tracking technologies. I like to think of these third-party tracking technologies as undercover spies seeking information for their own personal gain. While browsers like Ghostery act as your own personal security guard, protecting you from alarming activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    In closing, taking control of your life and minimizing distractions that online platforms can induce is a skill that many must learn to master. The notifications that we receive every day create minute distractions that are taking your attention away from important activities in our everyday life. When I know I need to focus on a certain task, I will typically put my device on do not to disturb or turn my device off completely. This allows me to have a clear and uninterrupted space where I can effectively and efficiently work towards my goals. Self-constraint plays a big role as we continue navigating this increasingly digital world. Maintaining strong boundaries and educating yourself on safe digital practices is a crucial steppingstone in enforcing digital privacy and agency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Review Question<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    How do you maintain boundaries when it comes to your online information?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    \n
    \n

    Review Question:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
      \n
    1. How do algorithms and data tracking shape what we see and share online?<\/li>\n
    2. Do privacy policies and terms of service give us real control over our data, or just make it harder to know what\u2019s going on?<\/li>\n
    3. How can we stay in control of our online experience with all the ads and algorithms out there?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      definition<\/span>