We live in a digital age where almost all of our lives activities somehow find their way online, we have so become used to sharing and living our personal lives on the internet without caring about who can have access to this data, most of the activities we involve in innocently like the videos we stream, what we search on google, the post we share on our social media platforms and all of our other general interest are being constantly being tracked and monitored by both some corporations and the government.
Image edited using canva
I needed a particular brand of sewing machine, so I logged in to an online store searching for that brand but couldn't find it, next thing I knew, I started receiving adverts from other different sites , facebook included about sewing machines and other tailoring equipment, even though I never inputted about searching for a sewing machine in those sites, this proves that all of our activities are constantly monitored, it's like there is a form of robot always on standby to collect and spread out our information. Although these data help in personalized advertising, because I later found what I wanted through the help of this powerful search engine, also as a businesswoman, whenever I advertise online, placing targetted ads helps make my goods be reached easily, but it also gives a weird feeling knowing that all we've ever shared about ourselves online are exposed in ways we cannot fully understand, and It could haunt us back no matter how many years to come.
it is understandable to some extent why our governments are keeping tabs on at least some of our online activities because this information is used in tracking down criminal activities, but I often wonder if these criminals also have the same access to our information, and if they do, just how much do they really know about us? there are even more downsides because government officials cannot be totally trusted either with our information, we've seen cases of bad policemen giving security information to criminals or bank staff leaking their bank security details to robbers, how much more do these government agents who have all of our live's data in their hands.
Image is mine
I also learned about some everly present programs that monitores emails, chat logs, web browsing histories, and other communication data from countless ordinary citizens,all in the name of national security.The good side is that monitoring our data helps in combating terrorism, human trafficking, cyber crimes, and other crime activities that are often coordinated online. By having the ability to trace communications and online activities, they can develop crucial leads and prevent threats before they fully materialize.so I guess we should feel a little bit safe knowing that the government are not completely In the dark about online activities. But where exactly should we draw the line when it comes to government surveillance in this digital age? How much of our privacy are we willing to sacrifice in the interest of national security?
So is there any way for us to truly keep our digital selves private in this day and age? Or have we already passed the point of no return when it comes to data privacy?
I learned there are Tor browsers, encrypted communication apps one could use and obsessively clearing our cookies and browser data could be of help in them not everly having access to our data, aldo using VPN or going incognito, ut let's face it, how many of us have this time, some of us are so addicted we can't even do without posting our daily activities online and even those measures we can take don't make us totally untraceable.
At the end of the day, the only way to exist online with true anonymity would be to stay entirely away from the internet and all the services tied to it. For most of us, it would be an unrealistic measure in this modern world where so much of our lives, sources of income, and relationships depend on digital connectivity. I guess we just have to swallow this bitter pill and accept our fate.