#techTips — Privacy and Geopolitical Considerations

PressASAP-techTipsWhile the American public aren’t so happy about Russian interference and China spying on tourists, and the US government is currently locking horns with the latter on national security and unfair trade, in the narcissistic world of social media, it’s a different story.

People are either ignorant or careless with their privacy as long as they get some much needed attention.

Apps like FaceApp and Tiktok has invaded the American public with much fanfare, thanks to the help of the media (who are very likely paid a handsome amount to push their campaigns), just like what happened in the early days of Facebook. When it’s on the networks day after day for a long period of time.

Attention seekers are quick to embrace these apps, and share personal data. So where do these data end up? Either Russia or China. Countries that are considered the US’ nemesis, whose government has a spotty record on privacy, liberties and human rights.

Be mindful where you send your personal data.

Much like the US, where companies are obligated to turn over data to the NSA in the name of national security, thanks to the Patriot Act, if the government compels them to; companies based in Russia and China are no different. The only difference is that, citizens (and companies) from those countries has virtually no choice but to acquiesce to government demands. They don’t have ACLU or First Amendment rights or liberties for that matter.

Like the situation that happened when Grindr was bought by a Chinese company Beijing Kunlun Tech in 2018. LGBT is discriminated and oppressed in China. Gay men living in China fear from being targeted and prosecuted using the app as a spying tool. China already installs spying software to visiting tourists. So there’s legitimate precedent to surveillance and breach of privacy. Going after its citizens, for whatever reason, is a walk in the park. It’s not far fetched to speculate that at some point, popular apps made in China will be used by their government as leverage to pursue foreigners.

And so here we are. If only the American public are truly vigilant of their privacy, because the media really doesn’t care as long as it’s well paid and get good ratings, they’d propagate virtually any agenda.

People are usually reactive in nature, they want something bad to happen first before taking any action. And when that happens, it’ll be too late. Then a week later, they’ll forget about the whole thing.

Part of the problem with all these privacy breaches and scandals is that, people using social media (or IoT) are too caught up doing their shit (to get attention) to care about anything else. That’s why regulation is needed to protect consumers from potentially malicious entities and themselves.

And as it stands, only the British are making concrete progress, while the US has done nothing since Microsoft’s anti-trust lawsuit. Yes, there has been plenty of Congressional hearings, but nothing has really come out of it aside from boosting network ratings.


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