Introduction
Emerging technologies have made it inevitable to share vital personal information through the Internet and store critical data in cloud systems, thus exposing individuals to cyber threats like identity theft and blackmail. However, the possibility of private information falling into the wrong hands is a less significant concern when it comes to the discussion about online solutions and data privacy because several systems work against hackers and cybercriminals.
Discussion
Instead, the upsetting issue is the unlimited access and use of individuals’ data by established technological giants and big data analytics companies that collect the information legally. The article by Mavriki and Karyda sheds light on the implications of inappropriate use of online consumer data for purposes other than intended. Big data analytics do not only pose privacy threats but have far-reaching societal implications such as undermining people’s freedoms and democracy.
The efficiency of technological solutions has encouraged individuals to leverage online systems to cater to their needs and run daily errands. Brian Stone explains that systems such as employee monitoring software are essential in tracking, monitoring, and supervising employees (Stone, 2022). However, they collect critical personal information including an individual’s location and their activities online (Stone, 2022). What these organizations chose to do with the information they collect is largely unregulated, allowing some of them to use these data against consumers by targeting their desires manipulating their decision-making. Nevertheless, Mavriki & Karyda, (2019) suggest that the potential implications of the inappropriate use of personal information by big data companies are far beyond their focus on consumerism and maximizing revenue. Business intelligence and analytics tools can be used in politics, thus posing a threat to individuals’ political autonomy. Hence, these activities undermine the fabrics that underpin democracy because they take advantage of people’s freedoms.
The featured article is interesting and worthy of more attention because it explains how data privacy issues encourage vices that can result in adverse societal outcomes. Politics is a critical aspect of human existence because individuals in power dictate policy formulation, control national resources, and are responsible for the well-being of everyone under their rule. Therefore, using information provided by big data analytics, social media, and online platforms to mislead individuals is a violation that can introduce atrocities such as discrimination, racism, and inequality in society by assigning power to corrupt individuals. Mavriki & Karyda (2019) suggest that using tools like profiling, personalization, and tracking in politics can allow a systematic influence on behaviors since politicians can target specific individuals using personalized political views. Thus, the issues presented relate to the assigned reading as they describe the long-term effects and destructive implications of leveraging private data to investigate individuals’ attributes, behaviors, personal traits, and preferences.
Conclusion
Although these organizations hold that they use individuals’ information to improve their systems’ usability and advance, their intentions are questionable because of external influences and the lack of integrity. Information about individuals’ desires, preferences, and opinions can be used against them to encourage them into making certain decisions. For example, businesses these days are known to pursue buyers into purchasing what they do not need as long as they make sales and increase their profits. In politics, leaders can convince people into voting by sending them targeted ads according to their immediate needs. Thus, weak data privacy laws and the inappropriate use of individuals’ personal information are a threat to the positive development of society.
References
Mavriki, P., & Karyda, M. (2019). Big data analytics: From threatening privacy to challenging democracy. In International Conference on e-Democracy (pp. 3-17). Springer, Cham. Web.
Stone, B. (2022). Best employee monitoring software 2022. TechRepublic. Web.