In recent years, tech companies have become some of the most influential powers in the world. The outcome has resulted from technological advancements and interest in online platforms fulfilled by corporations such as Google. Nonetheless, there have been multiple controversies in relation to user data being mishandled. Namely, companies sell information that the user establishes through the online trace. The information is sold to advertisers to ensure that the individual receives promotions that will ultimately result in sales. While the practice is extremely common, it is important to acknowledge its dangerous nature and the unethical use of search engines to invade private information.
Several arguments can be provided to connect the use of search engines to access personal data and privacy invasion. For example, if said engines are designed to obtain certain data, there is no reassurance that the information that is being stored cannot put the user in danger. For example, credit card numbers, personal phone numbers, and addresses, if fallen into the wrong hands, can jeopardize one’s safety and well-being. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge that online privacy is no different than a physical one (Durnell et al., 2020). Social media platforms scenically have become a replacement for in-person communication platforms. If a person listens to a private conversation between two individuals in a public space, those having a discussion feel unprotected and somewhat violated. The same, however, cannot be linked to online conversations, which is illogical since both settings have a private element to them.
Online privacy remains a subject that requires more reforms since it is relatively nuanced. Nonetheless, the fact that search engines are able to store private information and sell it to advertisers for profit is, indeed, a violation of confidentiality. Unless a person shares the information in a public space, it cannot be used for profit or other benefits that can be acquired by the company acquiring said data.
References
Durnell, E., Okabe-Miyamoto, K., Howell, R. T., & Zizi, M. (2020). Online privacy breaches, offline consequences: Construction and validation of the concerns with the protection of informational privacy scale. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 36(19), 1834–1848. Web.