Blogging and Privacy Issues
Created by:
- Mandy Boreski
- Tanya Dean
- Matt Shelson
- Mary Towers
Contents:
Introduction
Privacy, in relation to blogging, entails the consideration of personal information. Voluntarily sharing information, be it factually objective, or subjectively opinionated, is central to the act of blogging. Bloggers "make information public through publishing online. The public information is then available for viewing by anyone with internet access" (Brady). Under such conditions it is important to consider how privacy is to be "characterized, defined, or explained" (McCloskey) within the Blogosphere.
Online publishing may result in potentially serious personal and legal repercussions. With the increasing popularity of the Internet and social networks, such as Facebook and Myspace, distinctions between private and public social spheres are becoming blurred. While at one time a person who wished to selectively reveal personal information could do so, technology has enabled anyone with access to the right tools the ability to reveal just about anything they wish; about anything or anyone.
While blogging, authors must be conscious of what personal information they are sharing, how it might be used against them, and how they may (consciously or subconsciously) be violating the rights of others. By publishing certain information about others, you may be violating their rights, and as a result, you can be held legally liable. With the passing of certain laws, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, the privacy rights of Canadian citizens are protected both on and off the Internet. However, although an individual's privacy rights, as legally defined, may be protected by law, the potential exists to feel violated or uncomfortable with others having access to personal information. When publishing information on the Internet, users must be aware that such information may be accessed by individuals, for whom it is not intended. In addition, Internet users must always be considerate of information they share concerning others, conscious of what they are publishing, and aware of who may access said published information.
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