1. Is it possible to identify someone, perhaps a patient, knowing just the gender, birth date, and zip code? Why or why not?
It is not possible, due to the fact that this information is encrypted and secure. It would be a breach of privacy for information about a patient to be public information and publicly accessible.
2. Are electronic documents like paper documents? Write 2-3 sentences comparing and contrasting them.
Electronic documents are not like paper documents. They mimic paper documents, however they are stored indefinitely, whereas paper documents are prone to wear and tear and being lost. Electronic documents, if they are properly stored, cannot be lost-especially if they are in a server online.
3. Earlier in the course, you built the Map Tour app. In the final version, what kind of data is collected from the user? Does the user know the data is bing collected? Can they opt out of providing data and still use the app?
The data being collected is location, stored location, and history. The user may not consciously understand that data is being collected. They can opt out of providing data, however that would defeat the purpose of the app.
4. Is the Privacy Act effective? Explain why or why not.
The Privacy Act is effective in some ways, and is ineffective in others. The promulgation of private information is rampant online, which lessens the effectivity of the Privacy Act. However, the Privacy Act offers legal repercussions for those who breach the act.
5. Are you willing to trade some of your privacy for the convenience of having a computer or a company recommend products to you? Why or why not? Under what circumstances?
I would like to think that I am not willing to trade my privacy for the convenience of having a computer or company recommend products to me, however that is what happens. For instance, with Facebook, my data-interests, likes, cookies-are all being stored so that advertisements can be tailored to me.
6. How do we leave digital "footprints and fingerprints?" Do you think this is important for everyone to know? Why or why not?
We leave digital footprints/fingerprints through search queries, looking specific things up, spending time on certain pages, etc. It is very important for everyone to know whether or not their information is being stored.
7. How have social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. affected our privacy?
Social media platforms have affected our privacy profoundly. Information such as our location, interests, and the people we hang out with are now stored and can be accessed by third parties with commercial interests. Also, mistakes or comments made in haste/ill taste are stored forever on the internet.
8. In this course, you are building apps that collect data from users, the device, and its sensors. What responsibilities do we have as app developers for the data we collect?
Yes. Responsibilities we have as app developers for the data we collect include not sharing data with third parties, notifying the user if their data is being stored, etc.
9. Search the web for a recent news story that deals with privacy. Write a paragraph summarizing the article, including any beneficial or harmful impacts on privacy.
Cambridge Analytica (relativity old story). The article dilineated the actions of the company Cambridge Analytica and how it was used to collect massive amount of information on people, who may or may have not opted into sharing their information. This poses a serious threat to privacy.