Top privacy and security concerns for 2018

Privacy and security of data are critical concerns for 2018. With Facebook’s questionable access to storing private data, the issue has gained further momentum. We save our personal information on numerous websites and apps, social or otherwise on a daily basis. That information can be potentially misused. Let’s take a look when and how.

DNA Privacy: Companies such as Orig3n and other Direct to Consumers DNA testing companies are intentionally misleading consumers about their privacy practices. They change their privacy policies only after their unethical contractual consumer terms are exposed by the media. You put not only your personal privacy and security at risk but also your kids future when you take a DNA test at home.

Colleges are Discriminating Against Students Based Upon Their Internet Search History: Colleges are secretly obtaining their applicants’ personal Snapchat accounts and other social media account data by hiring social media monitoring companies to spy on applicants. Harvard tracks their applicant’s web surfing history via secret web bugs and beacons inserted into emails they send.

Big Data and Algorithms and Discrimination: It is certainly not fair and legal that our digital footprint from our web surfing history to our Facebook likes to our retweets to the videos we watch on YouTube are being collected and we are being provided offers or being denied opportunities based upon our digital activities.

Internet of Bodies: Insurance companies are already using social media for underwriting some policies. Insurance companies may ask you to swallow a pill for underwriting purposes in the future. Some pills can determine if you have taken your medicine and also measure your bodily functions.