You never know who’s watching... BE AWARE

During these TED talks, I learned how nothing is private and whether we like it or not everything is out there, some which we might not even know about. The first video talked about how the internet is like an electronic tattoo that is permanent and knows who and what we are. You can’t hide from people finding out your information even if it is private. Social media platforms like Facebook has all your information and websites like Face.com were sold to them. Face.com has 18 million faces that they recognize. Who knows your face could be one of them. This is very terrifying and shows even if you don’t have social media you could be on this website. They can use this information and find what you like and don’t like then can have specific ads that will be targeted towards you. This can also take effect by automatic tagging and anytime your face appears your name gets attached with it. This to me is very mind-blowing.

Another video talked about how when we are driving our licenses plate could be getting scanned, and we have no idea. They can then use this to track your whereabouts and know exactly what we are doing and who we are with. The police officers that get this information will save this and can use it against you if something ever were to happen. To think someone is watching my every move is very creepy. I cannot imagine how famous people feel. I feel very violated and invaded and I’m not even in the spotlight. 

The video about digital domestic violence was the one I could connect with the most because I am in Alpha Chi Omega and our philanthropy is domestic violence awareness, so when I heard this lady tell her story I thought it was so amazing and brave of her. This women’s nude photos were posted online without her consent from her ex-boyfriend. She talked about how there are no real laws against this. The person only gets a $500 fine. This is nothing compared to how someone’s whole life is affected by these photos being exploited. She made a point to say how the internet is international which allowed her to get this man punished for what he did. There ended up being a law in Jamaica which sent him to prison. All of this happening to her made her start a movement called “50 Shades of Silence.” This a global movement giving voice and dignity to victims of cyber harassment and online crimes. 

Overall, all of these TED talks really makes me second guess everything I post and make me much more aware. We need to remember someone is always watching and nothing that seems to be “private” is actually private.