Data is the collection of information or statistics. Whether we know it or not, data is constantly being collected any time we search something, log into our social media apps, or even scroll on blackboard to find our homework assignments. For instance, there have been many cases in which the data collected on my computer has shown my interest in a particular thing. Since data has pinpointed my interest, it then will show me representations of that particular thing all over my apps, especially my social media apps. Since social media is so new, it is scary to think about what data is constantly being collected on these apps, because we are all clearly unaware. This can be compared to the acceptance of “cookies”. When I was younger I was never told to not accept the cookies, therefore it is now a force of habit to blindly accept giving information away in order to continue on a specific website.
3 thoughts on “Marielle Dibbini: Data”
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I agree that it’s very scary to think our data is constantly being collected. I don’t, however, agree with the fact that we’re aware. It’s constantly talked about in media and even in our classes, we just don’t seem to do anything about it. Although, you make a very good point about the cookies. Cookies are one of the few things that we are very unaware of. We all accept it but we don’t know why and what it’s doing to the device we’re on.
The idea of ‘big data’ is definitely scary. The way that we allow details of our lives to be collected and categorised by search engines and social media platforms has become incredibly normalised. We often discuss privacy on social media, believing that having a private or ‘friends only’ account will prevent us from having our privacy invaded. Despite the fact that this may give us slightly more control over who views our profile, this illusion of privacy does not protect us from the constant collection of our data.
I agree that when you actually take the time to think about it, the amount of data being captured daily is frightening. I too was never given a proper lesson on “cookies” or what accepting them would entail. To this day, I continue to click “accept cookies” just to keep the message from blocking what I am looking at on my screen. However, in reality, I just gave away tons of my personal data. Learning more about this subject has definitely made me more aware of what I shouldn’t or shouldn’t accept.