A few years ago, I was interviewed by Seth Shostack for NPR as a technology expert. The question was whether the surveillance tactics like those in 1984 are on their way. The truth of the matter is...They are here.
After a few minutes on Facebook, we can see that as a society, we have become somewhat narcissistic in posting everything from "Look at the Sour Cream and Bananas I ate this morning" to giving specific destinations for our business trips and vacations, relating the airport destination data for all to see. But that is REALLY just where it all starts in two very important and distinct ways.
First, that's not all the data that's being collected AND SHARED about you and second (and this is most important), what you don't realize is what is being done with this data. Data is being collected from you in sometimes very subtle ways. We all know that when we search for or buy items online we will then be bombarded with ads for the same or similar items. (No, I don't need more screwdrivers) In the tradeoff for convenience, we have sacrificed this level of privacy. This loss of privacy extends beyond the online purchases and, even creepier is how your data is connected.
There are also more nefarious ways to collect our personal information. When you play one of those silly games like "choose your super-hero name" and you use your Month that you were born with the street you grew up on to select two names. Why do you think they exist? They are there to collect your personal information! This is not paranoia, this is FACT.
The second point is what is done with the information. I recently purchased some spackle at Lowes in the actual brick and mortar store. When I got home, I was bombarded with ads around my Yahoo email for drywall screws at Amazon. Consider for a moment the speed, the connective power and just how much data is cross-referenced from all of our identifying items...like your Lowes "rewards" card.
As for the data that is being trolled for on Facebook in the form of silly games, who knows. We already know identity theft is a serious thing and easily carried out internationally. The questions like "What street you grew up on" or "your first Pet" are often used as security questions by credit agencies. Consider also, your Birthday (usually available on Facebook) is often a security question.
Other personal information like the names of your children and family, our favorite books, movies, and TV shows could also give a hacker some serious clues for cracking your password. If you've made it this far, I bet you are re-thinking your current password.
“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” George Orwell,
Anything that we don't want to be true is now, "fake news."
I've already written enough on the topic of the news, but it just proves that the conditions of 1984 are already here. They are just not quite as drab looking...yet.
If the Government says it is! Anything else is labeled "FAKE NEWS!" Know that you could be lied to. It's possible! At least question things!
