Privacy in the Age of Big Data : Recognizing Threats, Defending Your Rights, and Protecting Your Family

Digital devices have made our busy lives a little easier and they do great things for us, too #8211; we get just-in-time coupons, directions, and connection with loved ones while stuck on an airplane runway. Yet, these devices, though we love them, can invade our privacy in ways we are not even aware of. The digital devices send and collect data about us whenever we use them, but that data is not always safeguarded the way we assume it should be to protect our privacy. Privacy is complex and personal. Many of us do not know the full extent to which data is collected, stored, aggregated, and used. As recent revelations indicate, we are subject to a level of data collection and surveillance never before imaginable. While some of these methods may, in fact, protect us and provide us with information and services we deem to be helpful and desired, others can turn out to be insidious and over-arching. Privacy in the Age of Big Data highlights the many positive outcomes of digital surveillance and data collection while also outlining those forms of data collection to which we do not always consent, and of which we are likely unaware, as well as the dangers inherent in such surveillance and tracking. Payton and Claypoole skillfully introduce readers to the many ways we are "watched" and how to change behaviors and activities to recapture and regain more of our privacy. The authors suggest remedies from tools, to behavior changes, to speaking out to politicians to request their privacy back. Anyone who uses digital devices for any reason will want to read this book for its clear and no-nonsense approach to the world of big data and what it means for all of us Digital data collection and surveillance gets more pervasive and invasive by the day; but the best ways to protect yourself and your data are all steps you can take yourself. The devices we use to get just-in-time coupons, directions when we're lost, and maintain connections with loved ones no matter how far away they are, also invade our privacy in ways we might not even be aware of. Our devices send and collect data about us whenever we use them, but that data is not safeguarded the way we assume it would be. Privacy is complex and personal. Many of us do not know the full extent to which data is collected, stored, aggregated, and used. As recent revelations indicate, we are subject to a level of data collection and surveillance never before imaginable. While some of these methods may, in fact, protect us and provide us with information and services we deem to be helpful and desired, others can turn out to be insidious and over-arching. Privacy in the Age of Big Data highlights the many positive outcomes of digital surveillance and data collection while also outlining those forms of data collection to which we may not consent, and of which we are likely unaware. Payton and Claypoole skillfully introduce readers to the many ways we are 'watched,' and how to adjust our behaviors and activities to recapture our privacy. The authors suggest the tools, behavior changes, and political actions we can take to regain data and identity security. Anyone who uses digital devices will want to read this book for its clear and no-nonsense approach to the world of big data and what it means for all of us. - Publisher. "Privacy in the Age of Big Data highlights the many positive outcomes of digital surveillance and data collection, while also outlining those forms of data collection to which we do not always consent, and of which we are likely unaware, as well as the dangers inherent in such surveillance and tracking. Theresa M. Payton and Theodore Claypoole skillfully introduce readers to the many ways we are "watched" and how to change behaviors and activities to recapture and regain more of our privacy."--Book jacket. IntroductionChapter 1. The Intersection of Privacy, Law, and Technology Tech Section I. Ground Zero: Your Computer and the InternetChapter 2. Your Computer is Watching YouChapter 3. How Government Follows Your Electronic TracksChapter 4. Chased Online by Criminals and SnoopsChapter 5. Just Hanging Our Online . . .Chapter 6. The Spy in Your Pocket Tech Section II. Risks in the StreetsChapter 7. Cameras EverywhereChapter 8. When Your Car is Just Another ComputerChapter 9. When Your Own Body Gives You AwayChapter 10. DNA and Your Health Records Tech Section III. Home is Where the Heart (of Surveillance) IsChapter 11. Home Sweet Home: Spies in Your Living RoomChapter 12. Risks of Computer and Phone Networks Tech Section IV. Where Do We Go From Here?Chapter 13. The Future of Technology and PrivacyChapter 14. Laws and Regulations That Could Help Preserve Privacy The intersection of privacy, law, and technology Technology section I : ground zero : your computer and the internet Your computer is watching you How government follows your electronic tracks Chased online by criminals and snoops Just hanging out online... They spy in your pocket Technology section II : risks in the streets Cameras everywhere When your car is just another computer When your own body gives you away DNA and your health records Technology section III : home is where the heart (of surveillance) is Home sweet home : spies in your living room Risks of computer and phone networks Technology section IV : where do we go from here? The future of technology and privacy Laws and regulations that could help preserve privacy. Introduction : Your life on technology The intersection of privacy, law, and technology Section 1: Ground zero : your computer and the internet. Your computer is watching you How government follows your electronics tracks Chased online by criminals and snoops Just hanging out online... The spy in your pocket Section 2: Risks in the streets. Cameras everywhere When your car is just another computer When your own body gives you away DNA and your health records Section 3: Home is where the heart (of surveillance) is. Home sweet home : spies in your living room Risks of computer and phone networks Section 4: Where do we go from here? The future of technology and privacy Laws and regulations that could help preserve privacy