Read that again. Then one more time.
Example: Airport Screening. While some may object to having their naughty bits lightly groped, it saves lives. Period. And if you're boarding a plane with me, I want to hear your answer to TSA's question..."Is that a stick of dynamite in your pants or are you just happy to see me?" If you're not ok with answering that question and following protocol, then I suggest you don't bother flying. The same could be said when it comes to technology. If you aren't ok with giving up a little bit of your privacy, then I suggest you return to prehistoric times. Because if you're shocked and enraged when companies like Facebook, Google and Apple are outed for privacy issues, then you and I need to have a little talk.
You see, people want everything! They want the best of both worlds. Connivence and safety. Connection and privacy. The problem is you can't have it all. You can't have one without giving up a little bit of the other.
I will never understand why people fail to educate themselves, then get upset with someone else because of it. Technology is here to make your life simpler, easier, faster! It's not technology's job to educate you on how to use it. That is YOUR job. It's up to you to learn the ins and outs of a product or service. They provide the interface. You provide the know-how. Or learn-how fast before you suffer the consequences, which would be nobody's fault but your own.
As you've probably heard, both the iPhone and Android have been receiving heat for tracking users whereabouts.
Q: How is this done?
A: Via GPS.
Q: What is GPS?
A: Global Positioning System.
Q: What does it do?
A: Tracks your whereabouts.
Q: How does this get turned on?
A: YOU TURNED IT ON!
Q: Were you notified beforehand that it would track you?
A: YES!
Q: Did you read that warning?
A: NO!
If you don't want people to know what you're doing or where you're at, stop broadcasting it. Stop using modern technology. Stop using GPS. Stop using smartphones. Stop using Twitter. Stop using Facebook. And yes, even stop using Google. When you Google something online your browser's cookies and cache settings act no different than what Apple is doing with their iPhone's GPS. Both keep a log of where you've been. Why? Mostly for your connivence, to speed up the amount of time it takes to retrieve similar information the next time you are looking for it. The only reason that should anger anyone is if they are up to shady things and don't want someone else to find out. Cheating on your spouse perhaps? Engaging in illegal activities?
A girlfriend once hired a Private Investigator because she thought I was cheating on her. Turns out, he found nothing. And as a result, I no longer wanted anything to do with her. The point is this - even though I felt my privacy was invaded and was left disgusted by the entire matter, it didn't keep me from ever wanting to date again. Does the "ick feeling" stick with me? Yes. Am I less trusting now because of it? Yes. Did I eventually get over it? Yes. What I'm trying to say is that while some iPhone users may be pissed at Apple, their anger is misplaced. They should really be angry at themselves. Technology isn't to blame here. The user is. I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of those that are angry are only angry because they were up to no good to begin with! And/or they simply don't understand technology vs privacy and how the two will forever struggle to co-exist together. But in time they too will get over it and move forward.
The more connected we become, the more privacy we have to relinquish. It's just the nature of the beast. It's insane to think of abandoning the entire world of technology just to reclaim your privacy. We live in a world that is more connected than ever before and to disconnect yourself from it would be like...I don't know, turning Amish?
My Grandmother is 91-years-old. She has a cell phone, uses e-mail, subscribes to NetFlix and recently asked me if she should be on the "FacePage." She's learned to embrace technology instead of fight it. And she's currently working to understand both the benefits and repercussions from using it. Lack of knowledge breeds fear. So educate yourself if you're going to pick up a shiny new gadget and start flicking switches.
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