The Right to Privacy

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, without question, the advent and proliferation of the use of the computer, has resulted in a chipping away of an individual's right to privacy. The author points out that, although the information being collected by the computer in databases are mostly necessary and, to a large extent, beneficial; the problem occurs behind the scenes because, with every piece of transmit data, the information has the potential of being used in the wrong way. The paper relates that the solution is (1) self monitoring of activities such as refusing to give out your social security number, (2) making it difficult to obtain private information by paying with cash, (3) managing data by requesting the removal of information from databases and (4) lobbing politicians concerning privacy rights.

From the Paper:

"Not only do things like credit fraud, insurance denial, and identity misrepresentation occur, but individuals are many times stalked, ostracized, black-balled, or targeted because of, or through the use of, such information. When people discover that someone has aids (lets say through medical records or interception of company e-mail), that person may be denied insurance, become a target of hate-crimes, or be fired from there job. When someone gains access to your SSN, address, and the like, they can take on our identity, and consequently, destroy your life. When one finds out your ethnic origin, support for abortion, or proclivity toward unpopular beliefs, violent action may be taken. The scenarios are endless, and most have and do occur."

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