I watched a very disturbing show on tv yesterday...
By Jennifer21
@Jennifer21 (2476)
United States
December 26, 2007 8:59am CST
I was watching a show on CNBC yesterday called something like "big brother.'
NO, it was not the reality show, but instead, was a show on how the government keeps tabs on every citizen in the country.
It was so disturbing to listen and see all the ways that not only the government, but average citizens can get ahold of anyone and everyones personal information via internet.
For example, they were showing how many, many citizens phone records, water bills...ect can be found by a simple Google search.
Along with the amount these citizens owed, was their SS#, phone number, address, and full name.
There were pages upon pages of this.
Another example, you can easily have your phone records hacked by almost anyone who knows how to do it.
All these hackers were doing was contacting the phone companies, telling mediocre lies, and getting ahold of phone records.
And did you know, Google saves every search, email, everything by its users and is saved in their data base.
If need be, they can just simply type in your IP address, and everything you've done on your computer, nothing is secret anymore.
There was tons upon tons of similar cases, where people had their identity stolen, charged for crimes not of their own, having credit cards in their name over charged that they didn't even apply for, the list goes on.
Isn't this disturbing to learn?
I mean, who knows who is watching and monitoring you right now?
Someone may be following your every move, ordering a credit card in your name, stealing your identity, or committing a crime in your name this very instant.
Does this modern technology and easy access to your personal information disturb you in any way?
2 people like this
10 responses
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
26 Dec 07
That is very scary! I know there is a site that you can actually see your own house from space!
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
26 Dec 07
Are you familiar with the book 1984 written by George Orwell, maybe that show portrayed the book. Anyways, also the idea of big brother the reality tv show came from the said book.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
27 Dec 07
Actually, it's more likely reality is currently portaying the book.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Jan 08
That is the downside of the internet and yes it does bother me quite a bit. But, time marches on. Years ago we only had to worry about someone raiding our mailboxes. In ten years who knows what will happen.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
27 Dec 07
I knew all about that for a long time now, Jen. It SHOULD disturb you, because a people's government shouldn't watch the people so closely.
I mean..why? What's so damned interesting?
Terrorists are a minority, and even smaller than that in America, of all places.
They also sometimes claim its to fight crime.
Now while its true technology has become a great help to law enforcement these days...there needs to be rules and regulations which are IRONCLAD not optional, like they are today.
The people needs safeguards.
If the people are to be bound by nearly unmoveable rules, then the watchers need to be bound by rules too.
Something to watch, the watchers...you know?
If the government insists on such a system, then they have to be prepared to take the nesessary steps to ensure we have a free society entitled to the measure of privacy per person.
That's my thoughts, man.
@cooldude_no1 (883)
• Malaysia
27 Dec 07
with advancement in technology, comes great consequences. I don't find this shocking as this is expected out of the technology, especially for us who are staying in a developing or developed countries. I am sure there are ways to protect ourselves too, anyone has any tips?
@vamsikrishna_p (11)
•
27 Dec 07
s u r right it was very big boring show actually by seeing it many people has became a mad people y the people r going to conduct this type of shows
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
26 Dec 07
It is extremely disturbing. However it is not as easy as they make it look on TV. Information is king in this day and age and if your information is out there then you may fall prey to some digital bandit at any time. The personal security industry online is booming. Covering ones tracks when on the internet is becoming of paramount importance. It is extemely necessary to check your credit reports regularly and to keep up with who has your information and what information that they have. I personally prefer to use prepaid credit cards only on the internet. Or fixed value gift cards for one time use. Just doing this alone can foil bad guys. It also makes them think that you don't have real credit cards, or maybe that your credit is bad, which makes stealingyour identity useless to them. It doesn'tmatter whether or not your credit truly is bad the use of prepaid methods is a red flag to them and often they don't even try.
@Mickie30 (2626)
•
26 Dec 07
Whilst I understand what you are saying you cannot run and hide all the time. These things are going to happen. If you believe in the Bible it is all there written down in black and white. All that is happening in this world is written down. One day there is going to be a solution to these problems and everyone will think that we have reached world peace when really it is far from that. Eventually you will have to have a computerised chip injected into your skin without this you won't be able to buy or sell anything.
I know you are probably reading this thinking this woman is nuts, but I do believe what the Bible says. When you think of how unsecure the world is right now it seems the sensible approach for everyone to have a chip implant that way nobody would be able to commit fraud unless they cut off your arm or leg which is a bit drastic.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
26 Dec 07
yes it does disturb me. But whats a fellow gonna do? this is the electronic age. would you want to go back to black and white tv?
I'll take the chance and stay right here with my laptop and digital camera. Thanks anyway!
@yanxchick (250)
• United States
26 Dec 07
Everything has its benefits and its downfalls. Unfortunately, this is one of them of the advance of technology. However, I went run and hide and stop using the Internet because tomorrow you could see a show on how people get into car accidents coming out of their driveway. Is that going to make you stop driving?
You have to be vigilant. Check your credit report often. Make sure there aren't any fraudulent activities.
But you can't be scared every time you use the Internet for this reason.
