CSCI 102T

The Socio-Techno Web

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Week 3: Mass Surveillance

In this third assignment we will continue with the main writer / main responder format.
We will each take on the opposite role that we took in the previous week.

Goals

• Definitions: surveillance, privacy, (and the BITS analogy of "fingerprints" and "footprints")
• Understand the trends and technology shifts that have led to the "digital explosion", along with their implications on privacy
• Reflect on your relationships with data and data collection and build an informed opinion

Readings

Required Readings:

• BITS Chapter 2
• DaG Chapter 2

Optional Readings: (additional readings may be added)

• EU Protection of personal data reform website
• Facebook Is Using You (2012 NYT)
• How Companies Learn Your Secrets (2012 NYT)

Assignment

• For the past two assignments, we have explored partner reading, reading aloud, and summarization/recapping. For Assignment 3, pick any strategy that you would like and commit to it for this week's readings. It does not need to be one that we have previously discussed; find a strategy that works for the ways that you process new material. There is nothing to submit, but you should be able to describe your strategy to your partner in our meeting, and whether or not that strategy helpful.
• Writing Prompt: Please respond to one of the following three prompts in your writing.
  1. The BITS authors describe an evolution of definitions of privacy. On page 64, they mention the Fair Information Practice Principles, which were developed by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to govern U.S medical data (although the practices were never codified into U.S. law). What is the value of developing guiding principles? What are the challenges associated with enacting principles into practice? Given that the principles were developed in the 1970s, what would you add to them or change? These principles were developed in response to realities in our society. What does a close reading of these principles reveal about systems and practices that govern our lives?
  2. The two texts have differing opinions about the ethics of mass data collection/use. Describe the role(s) the authors argue that governments should play, and then describe the role(s) that you think that governments should play. Does mass data collection/surveillance make us safer? Does it infringe on our rights/freedoms? Is there a clear line that you would draw? Does that line depend on circumstances? Should data collection be regulated or just data usage? What about data that is already public? There are many directions to take this question, so be sure to clearly state and argue your opinions.
  3. The two texts have differing views about the agency that individuals have in controlling the collection and use of their data. Describe how each author views the agency of individuals within the broader system, and how they view personal vs. collective responsibility. What is your own perspective? What would it mean for an individual to "opt out" of data collection? Is this a realistic expectation in today's world? Think about the broader concept of "consent". What does consent mean in the context of data collection?


• Ongoing: As you read, please keep a list of questions that come to your mind that you want to revisit as we continue to talk about privacy and data. This list may include things you wish the authors explored in more detail, open questions, confusing passages, vocab, etc.