Privacy Today

Whether we want to believe it or not, concepts from “Big Brother” exist today. Throughout the beginning of the book, the reader, as well as Winston doubted the actual existence of Big Brother in human form. Some of the concepts of “Orwellian” societies exist—especially the privacy concept. Here in the United States we have video cameras as well as cameras in public places. There are certain events and crimes that occur and businesses choose to have video cameras and cameras in order to protect themselves and their business. I could understand these businesses having video cameras and the uses of such devices in a way could help prevent a crime from occurring, such as shoplifting. People know cameras are watching them and therefore may be less likely to steal. Even if someone does commit a crime, the store or business has it on tape. People who commit crimes forfeit others rights to privacy in the public scene. When you’re in public, it’s pretty much understood that your privacy is somewhat restricted. There are other people around you that can see and hear what you do and there may even be cameras and video cameras in public. I think once you are in public, you are accepting the limitations of your privacy. 

As time goes by, I feel as if our right to privacy gets smaller and smaller. After our class the other day, I left thinking how scary it is that people can look up information about individuals on the internet, such as their number. This leads me to Google Maps. I think it is strange how you can enter an address on this website and a satellite view of the location is shown. Do you think this is an invasion of privacy? If you think that is bad, what about the website our classmate talked about the other day that essentially tells you really private information? In my opinion, why is it any of the public’s business? Who ever thought to find all this information and to make a website revealing this personal information? ….And then to think that you can pay a dollar or two more to get even more information. Some people don’t even know that they are on the website and their “private” information is out there for the whole world to read. 

Something else I wanted to bring up was Facebook. I’m sure almost all of us have a Facebook. Some people, for what reason I am dumbfounded, post everything anyone would ever want to know about them. For example, some people have their cell phone numbers posted on their profile page. Why would you want everyone on Facebook access to your number? I personally have a Facebook… however, I have everything blocked. People that are not my friend cannot view my page or information about me. Even those who are my friend cannot even access my tagged photographs. Also, many businesses check applicants Facebook pages to see if there is anything that will embarrass the company. Not only businesses check employees Facebook pages, but student athletes' pages are also checked. Honestly, I don’t think it’s the whole worlds business to see exactly what you have been doing in your life. I have my Facebook simply to communicate with my friends. Period. They have made privacy settings for a reason—use them if you don’t want strangers to know your whole life stories!

Despite the invasions of privacies I talked about, we do still have some that exist. For instance, once you go into your house, you enter a realm of privacy. Unlike the book, we do not have someone constantly watching us, such as a telescreen. We are allowed to talk to one another about anything we want to talk about. We have the right to talk about our viewpoints and have the right to protest something when we agree. We still have a lot of freedoms that other people and countries do not hold. I am taking a Communication Law class currently the chapter we have been covering this past week is about invasion of privacy. Someone in my class, from Austria said in their country there are cameras everywhere! The student even said that there is one in every home. I found this shocking and a complete invasion of privacy. I bet if that was mandated in our country, everyone would be protesting! 

When it comes to the question asking if we are willing to give up our basic freedoms in order to feel “safe,” the answer you will receive depends on the person you ask. Yesterday in class when we did the activity towards the end proved my point. There were some people that said they are NOT willing to give up any freedom. Personally, I am willing to give up some of my basic freedoms in order to feel safe and secure. For example, I have no problem going through customs at the airport in order to assure not only my security, but everyone else as well. I also believe that our society has driven us to be “okay” with giving up some of our freedoms in order to feel safe. Certain events occur, such as 9/11 that makes us “okay” with stricter security in order to feel safe. Fifty years ago we didn’t have to worry about half the things we worry about today.