Dangerous Talk.
January 11th 2010 by admin in 1We all need to have some degree of privacy in our lives; it is something that is essential to all human beings. But is the ‘right-to-forget’ idea that is being talked about at the moment really the answer?
It is all too easy to give out personal information when we are on the internet. In fact, a lot of the time, we are actually encouraged to. Social networking websites like Facebook or My Space can be very dangerous places indeed and we have all heard about some of the terrible things that have taken place on (or because of) them.
Something else that seems to be an integral part of human beings is gossip. This may not be a part of us all that is essential, but it is enormously popular. And when you apply this to some of the sites on the net it can bring about some very dangerous results…
A right-to-forget strategy may be a good idea, but what time limit would actually be attached? No matter what length of time was decided upon, it would not please everyone.
What we don’t want is to end up in a world where our movements are constantly being monitored. That is the side of the right-to-forget idea that needs to be carefully watched. If it is going to turn the internet into a cyber ‘police state’ then it is just taking things to the other extreme. I suppose that it is all a very fine balance to achieve; we need our privacy, but we must also have our freedom.
And one last thing; if the right-to-forget idea comes into place, and someone posts an unfair accusation, then what is there to stop them from re-posting it after it has been erased? If someone enjoys dragging your name through the dirt that much then the right-to-forget thing will not put them off.
Just before I go: The Italy ski holidays booking is sorted all of you who are coming, I am really excited about our long weekend trip. I need part of the payment by Saturday.