BBC NEWS | Europe | Sale of bank data alarms Germany
Posted by ynegussie on August 20, 2008
BBC reports that German congress is scrambling to protect peoples’ privacy. While the effort by the government is is admirable, I wonder how much good it will do to protect privacy.
In fact, regulating banks and firms that buy customer information, in my opinion, will do very little to protect our privacy. In the March 2005 issue of IEEE, Steven cherry’s report explains how a computer science professor Dr. Latanya Sweeney had found a way to collect all the information identity thieves need for free from the Internet. I know this information is old, there might have been some remedies for the problem Dr Sweeney introduced.
Although the government might play a great role by creating laws that regulate firms who buy our information, I think the greater responsibility lies upon each of us to protect our privacy. It is important that we take some precaution when we decide to give our information to any agency, especially when posting resumes online. In web 2.0 world, where interactive web and social networking groups have made the Internet very attractive to lots of people, it is very easy to obtain information about others. Karen Lawrence Öqvist wrote on December issue of ISSA journal, about the threat of privacy caused by social networking groups. The following are simple precautions one should take to protect their identity:
- Educate yourself. Simple search on data privacy on Google, should reveal many information about what is at risk.
- Avoid including sensitive information on your resume (like social security number)
- Many banks and other organizations give you the option to opt out from having your information given to third party partners. Opt out. If they don’t provide you with one, ask them
- If you decide to be part of social networking groups, do enough research to see who is checking your information. Don’t reveal too much. Not everyone who requests to be your friend on frindester, or facebook is your friend. Just like you tell you kids “don’t talk to strangers”
The bottom line is understand that there are consequences for your action. If you care about your privacy, do as much as you can to guard it. Make it your responsibility, and stop waiting for the government to come to your rescue.
