Online Privacy - Coursework Example

Online Privacy and Online Privacy Privacy is asserted as a fundamental human need. It is defined as the condition of being secluded, concealed and secretive from the presence or view of others, meaning being free from intrusion by other individuals, groups or the government. Therefore, online privacy is the mandate to safeguard data and personal information on the internet. Maintaining privacy while online is an essential attribute because one is free from theft, fraud and cyber security (Independent.co.uk, 2014).

This is due to the fact that recent studies have shown that there are so many controversies surrounding online privacy. Most people using the social websites fear that their personal information can be retrieved by cookie companies that monitor how one uses the internet. Another issue concerning online privacy is for those who use clouds to store their personal and business data and fear intrusion of the cloud by hackers and above all through cyber security. Therefore, online privacy is fundamental due even to the introduction of e-commerce where billions of dollars are transacted every day.

Furthermore, it is upon every individual to make sure all passwords are secure and always log off from websites, emails, social media accounts before closing the browser to maintain efficient online privacy (Independent.co.uk, 2014).On the contrary, companies like Google and Facebook have access to personal information and data. Google is renowned globally and is the most used search engines on the internet. Google collects all available private information and conveniently places it at a researcher’s fingertips.

This information is in the form of address, telephone numbers, pictures, and all history of work. On the other hand, Facebook is another popular website used by people to obtain private information. Intruders and researchers can obtain information pertaining the pictures uploaded and posted, family/friends information and even the place of work. These companies get personal information and data when people create accounts with them because it is mandatory to fill in all data pertaining to an individual, group or corporations.

Furthermore, Google accounts such as Gmail get access to personal information through the phishing of private data (Baxter, 2013).The Snowden’s case has led to the emergence of many things revolving online privacy. This is because he worked for the United States of America government in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) but he leaked surveillance intelligence data and information of the United States (Los Angeles Times Articles, 2014). These US surveillance were phone and internet communication.

Snowden’s case is the worst US leak in its political history. This case led to the united nations member states to declare an online privacy right of individuals. They called for the end of intrusive digital surveillance on other countries because every state has the right privacy, whether in the context of domestic or extraterritorial surveillance. Furthermore, the BBC News, 2014 states that this case has led to major diplomatic challenges for the US.In conclusion, online privacy in a fundamental aspect in the digital age and privacy should be respected.

Intrusion of privacy is the violation constitutional rights of freedom as the Snowden’s case reveals. On the contrary, companies such as Facebook and Google should respect the right to privacy and maintain secrecy in storing private data and information.List of referencesBaxter, H. 2013. Whos more evil – Facebook or Google?. [online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/25/evil-facebook-google-beheading-email-abuse [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014].Los Angeles Times Articles. 2014. U.N. votes to protect online privacy; Edward Snowden leaks credited.

[online] Available at: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/19/world/la-fg-wn-un-surveillance-privacy-rights-edward-snowden-20131219 [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014]Independent.co.uk. 2014. [online] Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/leading-article-in-search-of-online-privacy-806284.html [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014].BBC News. 2014. The Snowden effect on US diplomacy. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-24664045 [Accessed: 27 Feb 2014].