Another day, another assignment. Today, I’m talking about strategies for evaluating new technology for privacy concerns. At the end of all this, the individual needs to decide whether the privacy risks are worth the advantages that the tech provides, but being educated at least allows us to make an informed decision.
How can you learn about the privacy risks of new technologies, such as online gaming devices, before you use them?
- Look into privacy settings and opt-out policies on new apps to see what information can and cannot be made private.
- Think about what information it is possible to share on the service that may be:
- Seen by other users (e.g., photographs, location, real name)
- Tracked and shared with advertisers/other third parties (e.g., age, gender, location, interests)
- Read the privacy policy. Information in the privacy policy should include:
- How the service collects, uses, stores, and retains information
- Contact information
- How to access what information the service has collected
- Any procedures for opting out of data collection
- Investigate the company who owns the site/app/technology:
- Are they a commercial company, a charity, a government organization?
- Are they a reputable company?
- Are they located in Canada or elsewhere in the world? Canadian organizations are subject to stricter privacy laws than many other countries, including the United States.
- Are their servers located in Canada or elsewhere in the world? Servers in the United States in particular can be required to share information with government entities.
- Is there existing information on how they collect and use user data?
- Is there any data collection controversy associated with the company?
Sources
Imagine Easy Solutions. (2014, August 7). What are tracking cookies? [Video] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n2Syt0P4js
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. (2017, March 02). What to consider when reading a privacy policy. Retrieved from https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/information-and-advice-for-individuals/your-privacy-rights/02_05_d_71_pp/
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. (2018, January 31). Summary of privacy laws in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/privacy-laws-in-canada/02_05_d_15/
Slutsky, M., Buller, D., & Tucker, C. (2017). Social smart: Privacy, the internet, and you. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Retrieved from https://www.priv.gc.ca/media/3609/gn_e.pdf
(Victoria Y) Hi Jessica, I appreciate that you brought up the opt-out policies on new apps or when signing up for an account on a website. I find that websites often don’t place their opt-out selections in obvious places, as they want you to consent to everything (such as sending you promotional e-mails). Showing teachers and students how to look for opt-out selections can improve how they protect their information online.
I wonder how this information could be shared with staff and students in a way that is easy to understand and apply to their regular web-use habits.