It’s funny how online privacy works – parents take all the necessary precautions to keep their children safe and protected, yet who’s protecting the privacy of the parents, or any adult for that matter? No matter what is done online – purchasing a product, setting up an email account, or accessing an app or game – personal information is filled out to access this information. Whether it’s just a name and email, or all of your contact info, it’s what is being done with this data that is at the height of concern.

The limits of what can be done with our personal information are not being decided by lawmakers or the public. Instead, it’s companies that are making the decisions, and these companies are interested in our data for personal gain. This should come as no shock for those who use the Internet regularly, as email addresses are always being “sold” for profit or we’re being directed to enticing advertisements.

The companies most at scrutiny are Google and Facebook, as they continue to push the limits when it comes to personal information and what’s done with it. The CEOs of these companies promise that privacy is a first concern and that their statements are often taken out of context, which causes the media to upset the public. And while lawmakers certainly mean well, they don’t understand the complexities of these websites enough to know what companies are really doing.

Even if you say that you’re cautious online, keep in mind that your browsing history is always being scanned, the information you provide instantly links you with advertising, and your email address can (and will) be sold. It seems as if we’re playing with fire at all times – you either refrain from using the Internet, or you accept that your information can be shared for profit and gain.

Image c/o Cawi2001