Blog 2

In the last four weeks, we have gone over several different topics.  In weeks 5 and 6, we evaluated Freedom vs. Privacy concerns, and in week 6, hacktivism and groups like anonymous.  Weeks 7 and 8 looked at Freedom of information and speech, with focus on wikileaks, and how the internet has created a social revolution in some people's opinions.   I believe that weeks 5 and 7 interested me the most, as I have a lot of feelings towards  privacy on the internet.

               

Prior to the readings and video regarding wikileaks, I was absolutely against what Assange was doing.  I felt that he had no right to post classified information, no matter what the reason behind it.  Leaking video of the raid in Iraq was bad enough, but leaking diplomatic cables could start other conflicts.  World politics, for better or for worse, depends on secrecy and privacy.  Destroying that curtain of privacy may seem like a good idea, but do we really want countries that aren't benevolent (N. Korea) to know what we are doing?

               

After the weeks readings, I am still against Assange and what he is doing, with some misgivings.  I understand the government covers things up, and he feels the people have a right to know about it.  I also understand that wikileaks has exposed a lot of human rights issues in other countries and massacres, etc. that were not covered under normal news.  But while Assange sees himself as a someone exposing wrongs and making a big pretense of collateral damage, he is willing to risk collateral damage to people involved in the videos and leaks, and that is acceptable.

             

This relates back to week five's readings, in regards to freedom, and privacy/security.  I attempt to not let any information about me be on the internet, as I think there is enough out there for people to find, without giving them more information.  But in today's world, there is so much privacy that is taken away from us.  The Freedom of information Act and Wisconsin opens records laws, allow almost anyone to get information about you.  This disturbs me, because I know I can go to my local county office, pay a fee, and get tax records on all my neighbors.  I can see what they pay, their full names, whether they paid last year's taxes all at once or in two installments. Now, Assange would say this is probably a good thing, because it allows me to make sure I am not being unfairly targeted for taxes and that all my neighbors are paying similar rates, based on their houses.  However, I can use this information in a malevolent way also.  If I am interested in stealing peoples identities, I can drive through a nice neighborhood, write down house addresses that look expensive, get the owners information, including their names.  Then I can use social networking, social engineer them, and use all this information to steal their identity. 

               

Granted, this could have been done without all the information via public records law, but it makes it more accessible.  Assange seems to ignore this, and in a way, seems to be oblivious, or unwilling to admit, that his work could cause harm, even as it unmasks lies. 

               

I don't believe that anything I read will make me change my online behavior, unless it makes me become more careful about what information is out there.  I don't believe that all information should be open to anyone who wants it, and I will continue to try and keep mine as private as possible.