Do Not Disturb

Privacy is an issue that plagues us everyday. Whenever any of us sends an email it's tracked, and if you have a credit card or put your money in a bank, there are paper trails. Phones could be tapped, security cameras are everywhere, and Google maps has a picture of your home on the Internet for everyone to see. Mike Valentine is a blogger from Marina Del Rey, California. His blog is called, Protect Personal and Financial Privacy. Mike writes about privacy issues, identity theft, data security, and medical privacy matters. Anything you need to know about privacy, is probably archived somewhere in this blog.

One of the privacy issues that creates some controversy, is Google's Street View. This site enables anyone to Google an address or area of town, and see actual pictures of the area. It's a type of virtual tour that has caused some issues. One can see what the premise looks like, view what kind of cars you have in your driveway, and perhaps snap a picture of you watering your lawn in the morning, while wearing your bathrobe. Once, a picture was taken of a woman where her underwear was showing, due to the angle of the shot. Google promptly took down the picture, and now users are able to report inappropriate images. This is one step in the right direction, but do I really want people to be able to see what kind of cars I have parked in my driveway?

Behavioral targeting and online ads are another source of annoyance, when it comes to online privacy. Google, AOL, and many others have been following people's every move online, so ads can be targeted correctly. I have to admit, I did find the perfect bathing suit through one of those target ads. I'm not sure if I hate it all that much after finding such a gem. However, others feel that their privacy is at stake, and many companies are gaining a lot of information about their target audience. Does this make you uncomfortable? I'm still torn on the issue.

Privacy has become null is some aspects, but there are other options. You could just smash your Blackberry, sell your car, cancel all your credit cards, and go live in the forrest. The trees will make it hard for Google Street View to find you, and your privacy will be guaranteed.


Here is how to protect yourself online: