Tag Archives: Information Collection

I found an article in self magazine about the same old story of some aspect of someones life ruined from what was on their facebook. A women was on a disability leave after a diagnosis of depression. Her doctor’s had recommended that she go on trips and have nights out. She then posted pictures of her trips and nights out on her facebook. Her disability insurance ended up dropping her. The article also talks of a case about two teenagers who suffered from an eating disorder. They had to provide their online posts as evidence to prove whether or not their illness was biological or emotional and therefor covered or not covered by their insurer. What you put on the Internet could be held against you in the courts apparently. This leads to the idea of information collection. Should companies, potential employer and even advertisers be allowed to access what you post on your personal page?
The New York Tims recently reported news of the Do Not Track Online Act of 2011. The Senator of West Virgina claims “Consumers have a right to know when and how their personal and sensitive information is being used online-and most importantly to be able to say ‘no thanks’ when companies seek to gather that information without their approval.”
Recently various Internet browsers such as Google, Mozilla and Microsoft have created a privacy feature for users to opt out of their personal data being collected. With this feature Third party advertisers would be sent a signal that a users does not want to be contacted. As for collection of other sensitive information such as religious affiliation or medical condition, “the Commercial Privacy Bill of Right Act of 2011 required users to opt in…but did not call for a do not track mechanism.”
If any of the companies violate this law, the Federal Trade Commission would be able to pursue action against that company. This Act is in the process of being proposed to congress. It will interesting to see how this Do Not Track Online Act will pan out and affect the future of information collection.