Personal privacy is an issue that people should be concerned with in this age of technology. Personal information such as medical records, insurance records, arrest records, employment records, bank and credit records, social security records, tax records, school records and phone records are private information. However, with the growth of technology and the Internet, this information is more readily available. Many of these issues are discussed in a 1999 white paper on this topic found at http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/wp/privacy/index.html. Personal privacy will be categorized as Identity Privacy, Information Privacy and Educational Privacy.
Most Americans have a Social Security Number, which was originally created to be used as an identifier for tax and benefit purposes. However, now this number is used more frequently as identification in education, banking and shopping. As the social security numbers are used more frequently, they allow companies to invade into our private life and learn more about us. Now with the use of the Internet, this has also allowed companies to share this information more readily. The sharing of our private information is often done without our knowing or wanting.
Another concern for both the government and us with the increased use of social security numbers is identity theft. As personal information is combined with social security numbers, this allows thieves to assume another person's identity. Under a new identity, thieves can obtain credit cards, loans and gain access into the victim's records. Often this leaves the victim defenseless.So, what can the consumer do? According to the American Civil Liberties Union, there is little that can be done. Without stringent laws in place, the government is not much help. The Electronic Privacy Information Center at http://www.epic.org gives helpful information on what you can do to protect yourself.
Another information-gathering tool for companies is the use of Internet cookies. Through the use of these cookies, companies can gain information about users' buying habits. The information about a user's activities is actually stored on his or her computer and is accessed as users revisit certain web sites. This information is taken with or without the users knowing; however, there are tools available through the Internet and web browsers that will disable the cookies. However, not all users know or will spend the time to disable the cookies. Home-use software is available through Network Associates at http://www.pgp.com/.
As computerization has increased over the years, so has the use of storing information and records in computer files rather than paper files. This information includes medical records, insurance records, arrest records, employment records, bank and credit records, tax records, and phone records. Many of these records, although stored in companies' files, can be accessed legally or illegally. The invasion of people's information can be startling, as this information can be used for telemarketing and advertising.
In particular, employers, insurance companies and drug companies now have gained access to private medical records. This information can be used to determine an employee's health or ability to get an insurance policy. In the case of the drug companies, the information is being sold and shared with other companies. More than one hundred people can now access private medical records. Currently, here are no laws that protect a person's medical records.
Companies also have access to a prospective employee's arrest records even without consent.In Illinois, the information can be accessed at http://www.idoc.state.il.us/. Many states now also have web sites that are available to check for sex offenders. In Illinois, sex offenders are required to register, and the information is available at http://samnet.isp.state.il.us/ispso2/sex_offenders/index.asp. This private information, though, is considered a safety feature for citizens.
Education records are another example of private records that need to be kept private. According to the Federal Education Records and Privacy Act, any school that receives federal funds must first obtain a student's consent before releasing school records. School transcripts and grades are to be viewed only by the student unless written permission is given. Grades often are posted in the classroom using either a student identification or social security number. As these grades become posted on the Internet, educators must use caution as social security numbers should not be used in association with education records.
The issue of public versus private information has changed for students in school. School officials can review the web sites students visit, the e-mails sent and their file folders. The students and school's safety is the main reason for this information being accessed. However, there is a concern that others can also gain access to this information. Schools must not only be responsible for protecting their network, but also the information available through the network.
In the digital age, personal privacy is a big concern, as personal information can be accessed and shared without consent. A person's identity can also be stolen by utilizing this information. We must take care to protect ourselves, as there are few protection laws. Practical tips are available at the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at http://www.privacyrights.org/. In this technological age, sometimes these practical protections are still useful.
Banisar, David A, 1994. "Privacy of Education Records." Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 20, 2002 at http://www.epic.org/privacy/education/school.html
Burbules, Nicholas C., 1997. "Privacy, Surveillance, and Classroom Communication on the Internet." (1997). Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 17, 2002 at http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/burbules/ncb/papers/privacy.html
Electronic Privacy Information Center, 2002. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 20, 2002 at http://www.epic.org/privacy
"Personal Privacy and Access to Medical Databases," 2002. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 18, 2002 at http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/privacy-main.html
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2002). Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 27, 2002 at http://www.privacyrights.org/
Singleton, Solveig, 1998. "Privacy as Censorship: A Skeptical View of Proposals to Regulate Privacy in the Private Sector." (1998). Retrieved from World Wide Web on July 19, 2002 at http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-295.html
Tavani, Herman T., 2000. Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 18, 2002 http://infoeagle.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/law/st_org/iptf/commentary/content/2000041901.html
Workplace Rights, American Civil Liberties Union, 2002. "Privacy in America: Social Security Numbers. " Retrieved from the World Wide Web on July 20, 2002 at http://www.aclu.org/library/ibpriv4.html