A privacy-friendly internet might be possible in the future according to an academic from the University of East Anglia.
Speaking at a conference today, Dr Paul Bernal will paint a picture of what a privacy-friendly internet might look like in practice and put forward a series of internet privacy rights – rights that are both theoretical and achievable – and look at how the implementation of those might impact upon the internet.
It follows the proposal of ideas such as the ‘right to be forgotten’ and of a ‘do not track’ system with tracking off by default. Both have been attacked as unworkable and likely to ‘destroy’ the internet – the former by undermining free speech, the latter by making the economic model that supports the ‘free’ internet unsustainable.
A lecturer at UEA’s Law School, Dr Bernal’s research areas include internet privacy and data protection, social networking and online identity.
“It seems that almost every time measures are proposed to preserve individuals’ privacy against intrusive or surveillance technologies or activities that they are met with two swift responses,” he said. “Industry bodies, their supporters and advocates for laissez-fair ideologies shout out that the core internet values will be undermined, and that the internet will be destroyed, while others, proclaiming themselves to be pragmatists, state that it is far too late to do anything in practice, or that the idea is simply unworkable.
“The upshot of these kinds of argument is that, ultimately, a ‘privacy friendly’ internet is impossible, but I’m suggesting that that it is not necessarily true.”
The rights Dr Bernal puts forward include:
• A right to roam the internet with privacy
• A right to monitor those monitoring us
• A right to delete personal data
• A right to identity, comprising rights to create, assert and protect that identity
• Rights to anonymity and pseudonymity
Dr Bernal will outline how businesses might function within a privacy-friendly internet and proposes a series of possible new business models, including an account of search and navigation mechanisms, social networking platforms and online retail activities which embed privacy norms and values.
“Crucially, this privacy-friendly environment does not absolve governments of their regulatory responsibilities,” said Dr Bernal. “I aim to shed some light on the governance challenges for governments and their role in designing legal mechanisms that not only overcome the shortcomings in the current privacy framework but paves the way for creating mechanisms that incentivise industry to regard privacy respecting values as a legitimate business goal.
“There are some signs suggesting that people might be beginning to both want a privacy-friendly future and to be willing to make personal decisions to help bring it about.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Privacy-friendly internet
- How to Watch Channel 4 Outside the UK in 2024on April 28, 2024 at 6:53 am
Discover the ultimate guide to accessing Channel 4 outside the UK using a VPN, ensuring you never miss your favorite content in 2024.
- How Computer Vision Is Transforming Cybersecurityon April 27, 2024 at 1:40 am
Explore how computer vision revolutionizes cybersecurity, enhancing threat detection and surveillance systems through innovative technology.
- Why Apple Mac Users Should Invest in a VPN: Protecting Your Data and Privacyon April 27, 2024 at 1:09 am
The current era of online security is a scary thing, with users’ privacy being under constant threat. Now, it’s become almost essential to safeguard personal ...
- Chef-Approved Cookware Brand HexClad Joins Forces with Benny Blanco to Launch an Eco-Friendly Apronon April 26, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Music producer and self-made chef Benny Blanco (aka Selena Gomez’s boyfriend) collaborated with Hexclad to launch a sustainable apron.
- T-Mobile is starting a Netflix-style crackdown on home internet data abuserson April 25, 2024 at 7:20 pm
T-Mobile offers 5G home internet, but is reportedly cracking down on using it on the go by verifying addresses. The 5G home internet gateways used by T-Mobile have always had GPS connectivity, but the ...
- Tired of waiting, online privacy advocates call to revive stalled legal reformson April 25, 2024 at 3:47 am
An open letter to the European Commission calls for a halt to surveillance ads and Facebook-style pay-or-consent models, and to protect encrypted communication.
- Here’s Why Privacy Experts Trust GrapheneOSon April 23, 2024 at 10:24 am
Can GrapheneOS be trusted? That's kind of its whole deal – think of it as a hardened, privacy-focussed Android alternative. Here's what makes it so ...
- Google Privacy Sandbox and What Brands Need to Knowon April 23, 2024 at 5:49 am
How Google Privacy Sandbox is a privacy-first alternative, and how it fits into the future of cookieless marketing and advertising.
- Ecosia launches plant-friendly cross-platform browseron April 22, 2024 at 11:00 am
Not satisfied with capturing sustainable Internet searches, Ecosia has now launched its own fast and private browser.
- DuckDuckGo VPN: A User-Friendly Privacy Boost, but Not for Power Userson April 19, 2024 at 5:15 am
While there are more feature-packed VPNs, it’s hard to complain about the intuitiveness and value of DuckDuckGo’s no-frills virtual private network.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Privacy-friendly internet
[google_news title=”” keyword=”privacy-friendly internet” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”] [/vc_column_text]The Latest Bing News on:
Internet privacy
- Who’s Selling Your Digital Data? California Gives You Tools To Protect Your Online Privacyon April 28, 2024 at 5:00 am
About 450 companies are on the data broker registry in California, and a law passed last year will make it easier to delete the data they collect about people.
- Why Apple Mac Users Should Invest in a VPN: Protecting Your Data and Privacyon April 27, 2024 at 1:09 am
The current era of online security is a scary thing, with users’ privacy being under constant threat. Now, it’s become almost essential to safeguard personal ...
- FTC finalizes changes to data privacy rule to step up scrutiny of digital health appson April 26, 2024 at 1:30 pm
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized a rule Friday that aims to tighten the reins on digital health apps sharing consumers' sensitive medical data with tech companies. | The FTC finalized a ...
- Why Privacy Sandbox Testers Are Relieved Google Delayed The Cookie’s Demiseon April 26, 2024 at 1:29 pm
There are still just too many unanswered questions for the Privacy Sandbox rollout and cookie deprecation to have moved ahead as planned.
- Online Voting Terms and Conditions / Privacy Noticeon April 26, 2024 at 7:42 am
Where the vote result has a consequence the BBC will endeavour to meet it but editorial requirements may lead to a change in schedule or a change in programme content. However, the vote result stands.
- 53% people in India believe companies should do more to protect their online privacy rightson April 25, 2024 at 3:34 am
The Indian e-commerce market, valued at 99 billion USD in 2024, reflects a burgeoning consumer base with evolving preferences and habits ...
- Can We Balance Security And Privacy? Thoughts 10 Years After Snowdenon April 24, 2024 at 4:00 am
If we submit to general mass surveillance out of false fears of terrorists, we give up not just our privacy but also our freedom.
- Google Privacy Sandbox and What Brands Need to Knowon April 23, 2024 at 5:49 am
How Google Privacy Sandbox is a privacy-first alternative, and how it fits into the future of cookieless marketing and advertising.
- Meta, Others Online Platforms Should Give Users Free Option Without Targeted Ads, Says EU Privacy Watchdogon April 18, 2024 at 2:27 am
The US tech giant launched the no-ads subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in Europe last November.
- How The ‘Privacy By Default’ Internet Will Reshape Ad Industry Prioritieson April 16, 2024 at 9:35 pm
The digital ad industry is transforming. Here’s what’s top of mind for Prebid members, based on feedback from top companies in the ecosytem.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Internet privacy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”internet privacy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]