Do we take responsibility?

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Tom

One of Alexander van Elsas’ last post stirred up some (small) discussion, but one that triggered some heated real life conversations with friends. Alexander is a passionate advocate of better or at least more transparant information about privacy of data on the net. Especially with social media applications like Facebook, MySpace, Netlog,… the need for better information is critical. And in a way he’s absolutely right, without any discussion, he gives a great example that illustrates that no-one could counteract.

privacy“Having Amazon provide you the advice to buy the “Complete Illustrated Kamasutra” based upon previous behavior might be convenient. After having bought the book and then seeing your friends getting an update in their Facebook newsfeed that you just bought the “Complete Illustrated Kamasutra” is most likely an unpleasant surprise.”

First of all, every company engaged in creating tools to enhance social interaction, creating communities,… have the responsibility to provide a fair privacy statement with respect for every individual user.

BUT two problems:
1.  You can never write a general privacy statement that satisfies every individual user.  Some people don’t mind sharing pictures that obviously would hold them from any other job in the future.  Some people do.  Compare it with modern day legislation.  It’s a framework where logic and common sense should prevail.  (in theory)  A basis that can be used to interpret every individual case.
2. Do we even try to take the responsibility we get?  Except for the very few like Alexander, who recently stepped up to the plate and did something about it?  How long has it been since you actually read a privacy statement before you downloaded, installed or used something?  It’s complaining about something you didn’t had any interest in at the very beginning untill things went wrong.

Taking responsibility means to educate an individual awareness.  We have to be aware we can be watched 24/7.  Everything is so easy to use that we don’t think about the possible consequences of what we do.  It lowers our awareness on a level that even our subconsciousness could care less. 

If these things are a part of our life, why don’t we pay attention at them at school?  Parents teach kids what not to do online, but mostly when it’s already too late.  There’s no basic awareness about privacy, what it means, what it means to you and what it can do for/to you.  Or do I sound to Brave New World, Big Brother, … ?

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  • Hi Tom, thanks for the followup!

    You are right non both points. But, as a bit of an idealist, I would like to suggest we turn it upside down. What if the user could manage his privacy. in other words, he has full control and easy tools to manage what services and others may and may not know about him? We wouldn't need complex privacy policies. And services would have to compete on user value, instead of creating large walled gardens.
    The analogy I often use is a person who is traveling from a to b with a car. He might stop on his way at a gas station to get gas, a restaurant to get food. And if the gas station and restaurant provide him decent service, he will likely drop by again next time he visits. A simple relationship based upon user value.
    The reality is that we can't control our privacy online (even if we wanted to). We can participate, and therefore accept that services will (mis-) use our personal data for commercial purposes, or we have to unplug entirely. I prefer to have privacy controls directly in control by the user (for example, build into his browser), and not incorporated in any service. There is obviously no business model that will allow this to happen. Service providers rely on user data for their advertisement revenues, and users are unaware or unwilling to pay for privacy.

    Alexander
  • Hi Alexander... thanks for the comment and the inspiration!

    First of all, privacy is an important issue. I feel like from the moment tv shows like Big Brother popped up people thought less and less of their privacy or at least how they should manage it.
    It would indeed be better if the user could control his privacy. But will he do it? Ofcourse we'll never know untill we're able to do it, but with the knowledge today only the brave few will take the time and the effort to find out how, even if the tools are easy to use. If I was a company, I would make the service even more easier to use, because face it, like you said... data is the currency of the future (frightening thought btw)
    So to put in perspective. I totally agree with you, 100%. Though I don't freakily manage my privacy, as anyone who've seen my facebook profile will acknowledge, I believe it to be an issue that can cause a lot of problems in the future. We're all laughing with identity theft and Nigerian money scams, but they pop up more frequently and more viciously.
    I just believe it's the responsibility of the user to educate themselves what privacy is or should be (personally or as a set of rules). Only than, and combined with easy to use privacy management tools will users take control of their data.
    Like in your example. The user visits a diner with the best intentions, but that doesn't mean he has total control over his privacy. I like to use the analogy of basic networking. If you tell me you just became father of a daughter, I could use that information to give you a gift. Based upon the fact that no person does something without any intention (even if it's just feeling good about themself). Total or even let's say 90% control over your privacy is an illusion.
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