Lesson 1: Understanding Privacy
What Is Privacy?
Privacy is your ability to control access to your personal space and information. It's similar to having a secret spot that only you know about or decide who else can know. In our digital lives, this 'secret spot' is the personal data that lives on the internet.
Why Should You Care?
Just like you wouldn't want someone snooping through your bedroom, you don't want them snooping through your online life. Keeping your information private protects you from fraud and embarrassing situations. You maintain your freedom to be yourself without fear of judgment or misuse of your data.
Types of Personal Information:
Identifiable Information: It's the key to your life's door. Details like your social media profiles, location check-ins, and online purchases are all tracks you leave online.
Non-identifiable Information: These are the breadcrumbs that alone may not mean much, but when combined can paint a picture of who you are.
Sensitive Information: Think of this as the VIP section of your personal data—only special, trusted people or entities should have access.
The Digital Footprint:
Every time you go online, you leave footprints behind—these are the websites you visit, the things you like and share, and the searches you make. These footprints can tell a story about who you are, sometimes one you didn't intend to tell.
Consent and Control:
Always know who you're giving your information to and why—it's like lending a key to your house. Giving consent should be an active choice—you should opt-in rather than have to opt-out.
Public vs. Private Information:
Decide what you want the world to see (public) and what you want to keep to yourself (private). Remember that public information can be seen by everyone from your best friend to a potential employer.
Privacy in the Real World:
Compare online privacy to real-world scenarios, like not telling a stranger your home address or not leaving your diary at a café. This context helps to understand the value of privacy in the digital age.