Lecture Notes on Privacy, Surveillance, and Terms of Service

Introduction

• Discussion revolves around agreements made when using the internet (terms and conditions).
• Illustrates the absurdity of not reading the long terms and conditions.

Key Themes

Reading Terms and Conditions

• Most people do not read the terms and conditions before agreeing.
• Different strategies (like font choices) can make agreements less inviting to read.
• The likelihood that no one, including lawyers, reads these documents completely.

Legal Validity of Terms

• Terms and conditions are legally binding and have been upheld in courts.
• Novelty of user agreements in the digital age (not required for older services like landlines).
• Companies can enforce terms to protect their business interests.

Hidden Costs and Consequences

• Significant consumer losses ($250 billion annually) due to hidden clauses in fine print.
• Example of LinkedIn's terms granting extensive rights to user data.
• Social media companies can sell users' data without compensation (e.g., Instagram).

Privacy Violations

• Discussion about the implications of ignoring terms and conditions.
• Case history: GameStation's humorous clause about claiming users' immortal souls.
• Serious concerns about surveillance hidden in privacy policies (e.g., wiretapping).
• Mention of Pizza Hut and the inception of online delivery requiring user data.

Data Collection and Consumer Awareness

Cookies and Information Tracking

• Cookies track user preferences and behavior across the web.
• Late '90s saw the introduction of privacy policies explaining data usage.

Laws and Consumer Protection

• Introduction of privacy bills in Congress in 2001, largely unsuccessful due to lobbying.
• The impact of the Patriot Act on surveillance and data retention policies.

Corporate Data Use

• Companies like Google and Facebook prioritize data collection for profit.
• Example: Google's changing privacy policies reflecting increasing data tracking.
• Discussion of how consumers unknowingly provide data leading to profiling.

Surveillance and Government Powers

Total Information Awareness

• Government programs aimed at collecting all forms of digital communication.
• The public's reaction leading to the shutdown of such programs.
• Issues with government surveillance intruding on citizens' privacy.

Case Studies of Surveillance Abuse

• Example of how data collected can be misused (e.g., Target's pregnancy coupons).
• Individuals can be targeted based on patterns of data collection, leading to wrongful assumptions.

Privacy Concerns in Social Media

Changes in Privacy Settings

• Facebook’s gradual shift towards public sharing by default.
• Users often unware of how their settings impact their privacy.

Consequences of Online Behavior

• Real-life implications of social media posts leading to police action.
• Government and law enforcement's tendency to surveil social media for potential threats.

Conclusion

The Future of Privacy

• The idea that privacy is becoming obsolete; the need for a shift in consumer awareness.
• Advocacy for clearer, more consumer-friendly privacy policies.
• The importance of monitoring the practices of corporations and government regarding privacy.