Dark Data: EU
- Milan Gary
- Feb 4, 2018
- 3 min read
The GDPR is growing some cajones! Wow, it’s so reassuring to see the EU taking these laws and regulations very seriously. Making it required to have a Data Protection Officer for organizations is a good start, but honestly i’m surprised that it’s taken this long for that to become a requirement. Both Facebook and Google have a strong international presence which translate to them needing to comply to the regulations created in each country. It's reassuring to see that the GDPR encourages smaller organizations like NOYB to also advocate for individual data rights. The length at which the GDPR plans on informing individuals of what is happening with their data seems to be a bit unrealistic. Yes, transparency is a beautiful notion, but is it realistic? Our data is floating out there in millions of pieces distributed to hundreds of companies, how could the GDPR tell people all the ways in which their data is being used? I do enjoy the thought of these organization needing to be on their toes in terms of how they organize and access user data. In a split second the individual can decide that they want part of their data removed, these organizations have 30 days to locate and carry out the request. But now that I think about, if we humans consciously start editing and changing our data is that an accurate portrayal of us? I guess I’m still trying to decide if ones raw data is an accurate portrayal of a person.
Regardless, data rights need to be taken seriously and this article was the first one that has actually given me hope for the future implementation of these laws.
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I genuinely believe that companies like facebook and google started with good intentions. To connect people easily and to give people the power to receive the information they want. But my naive hope completely toppled over after reading how the numbers tattooed on the Jews back in WWII was an identity number that linked them to their profile within the IBM data base. Reading that, makes me question what earlier forms of tracking existed that few know about. This reading was phenomenal, usually when articles that begin with words like ‘Capitalism’ and ‘Authoritarianism’ it’s easy for me to tap out, but the way in which Samuel Earle travels through different time periods of tech, different ideas on Big Data/ Big Brother concept, and this connection between privacy and civilization, I was hooked! Creativity is what built this country, by these organizations containing data it reduces the chances of creativity every occurring. I am a huge advocate of aimless wandering and adventuring. If we are unable to do that on the internet, than that will largely affect if we are able to do that in the outside world. I’ve been brainstorming ways in which to make a device that allows traveler to wander aimlessly and find amazing local spots instead of just being shuffled from tourist hubs. These recommended playlists and movies are clear examples of how tech is killing our creativity and ability to wander aimlessly.
Privacy can no longer be associated with Capitalism. Yes, there are still private companies making private profit, but they are making that at the expense of everyone else’s privacy. Then they have the guts to say that if you withhold your data you’re ‘robbing the human race’. The beautiful thing about having a family is that we grow together, we see each others failures, we learn from them. On a larger scale data is killing this creative growing process that nations should go through. By knowing peoples interests and hatreds, big data is essentially making it harder to fail. These companies need to see the beauty in it.
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Facebook, Facebook, Facebook, you guys are screwed! So many European countries have their own specific complaints about Facebook. With the GDPR creating these tight regulations within the EU it’s expected that individual countries would create more country specific laws and regulations. In my head, Facebook targeting advertisements at American users seemed normal and expected, but this article broadened my thinking. Facebook has millions of users and it never occurred to me that all Facebook users suffer from tracking and targeted advertisements. For some reason collecting and analyzing data from foreigners makes it obvious that Facebook has crossed a line. I love how collectively the world is coming to realize the lies and invasion/selling of personal data that Facebook has been taking part in. The GDPR and their new regulations, definitely spearheaded these separate investigations. Facebook normally claims that their actions are all in good taste, trying to keep people connected. But at what point does this reasoning just become a cover up to a larger operation?
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