The TED Talk by Juan Enriquez gives an eye-opening view of how our technology platforms act as our electronic tattoos. He asks, “what if they provide as much information about who and what you are as any tattoo ever would?” Additionally, he uses Greek mythology to provide precautions of technology usage, specifically our exposure. For example, the Sisphyus story shows how important it is to be careful with what you post because your post can easily affect your reputation. Enriquez emphasizes how our electronic tattoos threaten us with immortality because what we put online is out there forever. These “tattoos” will live much longer than our bodies ever will.
Catherine Crump’s TED Talk shares how police can gather large amounts of sensitive information about every individual (that was never previously possible) due to NSA-style mass surveillance. Devices like license plate readers, cell tower dumps, StingRays, and more make cell tower usage investigations and mass location trackers possible. These technologies enable police to access sensitive information of numerous individuals. Crump emphasizes how just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there and raises the question, “What should we do about this?”
Christopher Soghoian uses his TED Talk to give insight on “How to Avoid Surveillance, With the Phone in Your Pocket.” Soghoian clarifies how our telephone calls and the networks that carry our calls were wired for surveillance first. This is scary for me to think about because that means someone could always be listening, and I have no idea who it could be or why they’re bothering to in the first place. However, companies like Apple make surveillance of text messages, phone calls, and Facetime calls surveillance extremely difficult. Soghoian advises us to use encrypted tools to secure our phone calls and messages.
The TED Talk by Darieth Chisolm, “Why We Need Revenge Porn Safeguards,” revolves around cyber-bullying, digital domestic violence, and revenge porn. She emphasizes the issues of posting private videos, explicit content, and nonconsensual personal information. Her talk is the scariest one because it’s so hard to see someone’s true colors until they’re shown. Girls shouldn’t be concerned about explicit photos of us or threats being made over a relationship status. This also goes for guys; no one should have to worry about their significant other violating their privacy and safety.
These issues affect me, friends, family, and just about anyone in the world today. Technology is pretty much the foundation of daily operations, so it’s challenging to think about how it could be any different. Protecting ourselves from privacy invasion is a lot easier said than done. Having private accounts on social media platforms is more secure than having a public one. Being mindful of how much time we spend on our electronics, specifically our phones can be beneficial. The more time you invest in your phone, the easier it is for surveillance of you to be made. The unfortunate thing is, I don’t see the government caring much about these issues since society (especially the US,) depends on our electronics to keep things running. It’s crazy to think about how we’re supposed to be the ones controlling technology to our advantage, but now it’s controlling us - leaving tattoos all over.
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