Privacy in a Digital Age

 

Technology is such a big part of our day-to-day life. Because we use it for everything, companies are less willing to act when harassment happens online. We need to be mindful of what we out on the internet because it will leave a digital footprint. Everything you say can and will be used against you. 

Juan Enriquez uses the term "electronic tattoos" to describe the information that we put out on the internet. Tattoos tell stories about people. They give others information about what you like and who you are. Electronic tattoos do the same. Technology is so advanced now that you can take a picture, run it through facial recognition, and it will tell you everything about that person. He references Greek myths like Sisyphus, Orpheus, Atalanta, and Narcisa. Each one comes with a warning: your reputation will reach highs and lows, so be careful what you post. Don't look to far into the past of those you love. Be careful about the things you comment on. Don't fall in love with your own reflection. 

Did you know that law enforcement tracks you and keeps a record of all your data? Catherine Crump warns people that automatic license plate readers capture images of your license plate and keep the of every plate that passes them. The photos are not just of the plate, but of the driver and any passengers as well. The government should not be allowed to keep data on people who have done nothing wrong. 

"Digital domestic violence" is what Darieth Chisolm uses to describe what the media calls "revenge porn." She experienced explicit photos of herself being published on a website by her ex-boyfriend without her consent. According to Congress, the TAKE IT DOWN Act was passed on April 28, 2025. This act "criminalizes the nonconsensual publication of private images...and requires certain websites and online or mobile applications to implement a "notice-and-removal" process to remove such images at the depicted individual's request." Despite this, there are few laws and protections against revenge porn. "How would you feel if your naked body was on display for the world to see, and you waited helplessly for the content to be removed?" Chisolm asks. We need tough enforcement from companies to prevent this from happening. There needs to be harsh consequences for people who post things like this online. 

A check on governmental power stands out to me because it is important that the government be regulated and the people's voices heard. I often forget that we have a right to speak out against the government because the government censors everything now. If the people did not hold the government accountable, then the government could and would do anything they want. When enough people speak out against the government, the government has to listen or take action. The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches all work like a triangle where each has power over the other, but none have too much power. The system of checks and balances makes sure that no one branch has too much power. As it stands, it is a good system, but as the government tries to silence the people, more and more people speak up. 

My Top Five Sources of News

My biggest source of news is Instagram. It is how I connect to others and stay up to date on what my friends and people I follow are doing. I do not typically pay attention to traditional news, so I do not follow accounts like the president or news companies. I am more interested in video game updates, convention locations, and voice actors/celebrities. However, sometimes I see posts about elections, protests, and other big events. 

My second biggest source of news is TikTok. With TikTok and Instagram, I take everything I see there with a grain of salt. Both sites use heavy editing and track your interests through their algorithm, so it is easy to only see media that you are interested in. It can be hard to get other people's perspectives on issues. Like Instagram, I use TikTok for video game updates, conventions, and keeping up with celebrities, so I rarely see any big news. 

I use HoyoLab the most when I am looking for game updates. This is the hub for all HoYoverse games such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero. They have the latest version information, and upcoming game events. Sometimes they also have web events where you can earn rewards to redeem in-game. You can connect with other players through this app. Players can make posts about whatever content they like as long as it follows community guidelines. 

I use Discord for video games as well. I am in groups for multiple different games. In these groups. the developers can personally send out information about the games or even hold video chats. This can be a good source of information since info can come straight from the developers. If I am not in an official game group, I can still get game information from other people in the community. 

Since I do not use any news apps, I would say YouTube is my last source of news. I watch videos about...video games! Who would have guessed?? Like I have said about the other apps, I get updates and more information about upcoming games and updates through YouTube. Sometimes I also watch streamers and video game events like the Game Awards. I hear about news happening outside like elections from adds since I do not pay for YouTube premium.