Online Privacy

    The internet doesn't forget, or forgive. Every post, photo, or comment put online can be found again in one way or another. Whether it's screenshotted or retrieved, it is literally impossible to erase one's lasting footprint. This permanence can has severe consequences, it’s a youthful mistake resurfacing during a job search or private content being used to ruin one's life.

    I believe the most devastating example of online permanence is revenge porn. This means the non-consensual sharing of explicit sexual images or videos, often by former partners, to humiliate or blackmail victims. This media would have originally been shared in trust but is now haunting. Despite growing legal protections, such as laws criminalizing the act in many countries, victims still struggle to have their images removed entirely. The emotional and reputational damage can be severe, impacting relationships, careers, and especially mental health. Social media platforms and internet service providers have taken steps to combat revenge porn, but the rapid spread of content across various deep dark corners of the internet makes complete abolition of content pretty much impossible.

    Beyond individual privacy concerns, government surveillance is another major issue in online privacy. Governments worldwide track citizens through digital means, monitoring emails, social media activity, and even personal messages under the disguise of national security. This has caused debates on privacy and security. In most cases, citizens are unaware of how much their data is being collected, and laws surrounding digital surveillance are confusing and lacking.

    The government has to take stronger actions to protect civilian online privacy by making stricter regulations on data collection and hold companies more accountable to keep user information locked. Also, clearer laws should be in place to combat revenge porn, it must become easier for victims to seek help and justice, and have harmful content removed before it can ruin the victims wellbeing. 

    Given these concerns, individuals must also do a better job to protect their online privacy. One must think before posting or sending. Even seemingly harmless posts can be misinterpreted or used to hurt you later. Second, use privacy settings on social media to limit access to personal content. Third, choosing encrypted messaging services and browsing webs to minimize government tracking or hacking.