Personal Data and Ethics In Our Shiny Social Age

Of course, the proposal is heavy-handed and unworkable.

The fundamental weakness in your argument, however, is the assumption that the United States provides a model for the protection of personal information and data that the rest of the world should follow.

In fact, countries in Europe, Asia and even Canada have sound laws to help their citizens protect their right to privacy.

Laws that help an individual question a corporation or a government when they feel their personal information or data is being misused.

People are posting more of their information online - probably way too much of their information.

I would argue, however, that many of these people have never stopped to think of the consequences of their actions.

What can seem like a simple act of sharing with friends can have far greater impact, as the child advocates have underlined.

You, however, seem to be suggesting that online users suck it up and learn to deal with our brave new world.

I'd prefer to think that we can develop solutions that don't rely on a sink or swim approach to personal privacy.

And, sometimes, that means the helping hand of advocates, regulators or governments.

Colin McKay
Director of Communications
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Ironic that we're using "free speech" arguments to support "1984"-like monitoring of people. With budgets bigger than some countries, major corporations need to be held in check as much as any government.

Hi Colin,

Thanks for the email. I am not advocating one response or the other. I am just laying out what I think would be the arguments for and against doing anything.

I personally agree that the U.S. does not do enough to protect privacy. I am undecided, nevertheless, about what the answer to the issue would be in this case. I was frankly hoping to hear from other people on this issue, which I think is indicative of the debate we should be having in the U.S. and in other countries.

Hi Heather.

I agree - a strong debate about rights, obligations and personal responsibility would be a good thing.

Colin

Heather,

See also Dan Solove's The Future of Reputation, chapter 8, this is discussed on page 203. Solove (channeling a conversation with Chris Hoofnagle of Berkeley) suggests a regulation where employees should inform prospective employees of what search tools they used; this way the prospective employee can better anticipate any potentially invasive questions.

Again, I encourage you to come to CFP '08, where this and similar issues will be discussed...

Ithink we do give more data than we need.Wedont know who or where its going.How can some one else tell you how or what to give? We control what we do we hold the key.