Smart Technology Threatens Privacy
스마트폰과 사생활 침해
2011-06-03 서정은 기자
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Smart Technology Threatens Privacy
By Seo Jung-eun, Tribune Reporter
Apple Inc. was named in lawsuit concerning individuals’ data collection and privacy. The lawsuit took issue with Apple’s lack of a way to delete or restrict access to their devices’ Unique Device ID (UDID). The suit also alleges that the company collects data from users’ devices without their consent even if they turn their phones off. After mobile data collection became a social issue all over the world, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of America and the governments of Britain, France and Germany began formal investigations into the company’s data collection practice. Since the smartphone has become so useful in daily life these days, it may shock the more than 2,000,000 iPhone users in Korea that their every movement can be marked on a map using a single tracker program. Along with Apple, Google is also the object of heightened scrutiny for the way it collects location data, but the maker of the Android operating system says no information is collected without user permission. Even though both Apple and Google explained there were no invasions of privacy, they were sued and made to attend a Congressional hearing on May 10th.
Lack of privacy policies has become a serious social issue because it may cause grave intrusions into privacy, human rights abuse, and it may even be related to social crimes. This is not only a problem for the smartphone but for all smart mobile devices. These days many Internet sites collect personal information from users through online registrations, survey programs, and other forms. Information is also collected from users surreptitiously with “cookies”, which make it possible for a web server to recognize a web client and enables certain features that are useful for surfing and seeing on-line commercials. Ironically, advancements in science and technology cause intrusions into privacy. Even if computer development brings with it a new convenient lifestyle, financial and intellectual property losses as a result of computer hacking occur more frequently than ever. The smartphone’s prominence in a modern society also causes concerns among its users. They usually provide personal information to applications users have downloaded, but this information is misused by some companies marketing their products or data to targeted customers.
As it is surely an invasion of privacy for private companies to collect customers’ personal data, the companies should protect users’ information and ensure absolute secrecy. And they should try to carry out security checks regularly. At the same time, it should be emphasized that consumers using phones or other digital devices should protect their own personal information. They have to make sure their data are encrypted and protected by passwords, and their information is not stored on the devices that can be easily cracked or lost. However, it still is obvious that all cell phones have to track users’ own physical locations in order to communicate with their networks.
Under the present conditions, if we use network services to find what we want to know, we must provide our private information. This does not pertain to only mobile devices like the smartphone. The advancement of information technology makes our lives easier, but it also causes the invasion of our privacy. We know that one hundred percent privacy-protecting functions would be impossible. It is not enough to hear reassurances from Steve Jobs that Apple does not use private location data for anything evil. Users should make an effort to protect their private lives, and the companies should know they are responsible for protecting their consumers’ privacy. Of course enforcement by governments is also essential. It is not possible to stop technological development but if each member of the society acts responsibly and ethically, it will be easier to protect individual privacy.