This can be seen as a loss of privacy. When we think of facebook and twitter and other social media network, we think of everyone sharing their personal information with others. But we do have the options of privacy on these social networks. We trust these networks to keep what we want to be private, private.
Now investigators are able to recover information from accounts whenever they please if they think it is going ot help their case.
What all should people be sharing online? Are things like Twitter and facebook helpful or hurtful in our every day lives?
I'm quite torn on the whole issue of wikileaks. I feel as if people should have the right to know what their elected officials and governments are doing, but not at the cost of lives and safety of other individuals. When discussing the helpfulness of social media, however, I am not torn.
ReplyDeleteWe have witnessed the growth of one of the greatest technological changes with the emergence of these new tools. They are of course great for telling your friends what you had for dinner and sharing pictures with aunt, but they have facilitated so much more. Entire revolutions in war torn, dictated countries have been called to actions through these outlets. Social media is what you make of it. So as opposed to asking if it is helpful, maybe we ought to ask if we are using it to help others.
In general, the so called “breaking news” posted on Wikileaks is rarely groundbreaking. Most people know the kinds of abuses reported on Wikileaks, such as embezzlement and unethical business practices, are common. Similar articles can be found in the Wall Street Journal every day. That said, Wikileaks does help inform the public and may keep people from being harmed by the actions of the companies and governments with which they interact. However, Wikileaks crosses the line when they post information about troop positions and military strategy. If these types of leaks lead to the death of troops, regardless of their country of origin, Wikileaks’ employees should be prosecuted.
ReplyDeleteA judge recently ordered a couple, who are currently going through a divorce, to disclose Facebook passwords and posts. Anything posted on these sites is still a written document that people or companies can be held accountable for if the author can be identified. Electronic documents and computer storage are the same as written documents and filing cabinets, only the medium has changed. Sadly, passwords are less effective than good old fashioned locks. The best way to avoid problems, both legal and personal, hasn’t changed. Be ethical, play fair, and protect sensitive or valuable information by using different channels of communication.
ReplyDeleteI do not read the terms and agreements on most sites I belong to. I think it is infringement on our rights in a society where freedom is sacred. But is our freedom of speech so sacred? I am very careful what I post on any social media site so I do not incriminate myself or offend anyone else. Sadly I would like to argue the social media sites should respect our privacy but realistically I think it is all fair game.
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