Internet privacy

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Internet^[1] Privacy represents a vital component in the digital world, focusing on the protection of users’ private details. It involves the management of personal data collection and its application. The importance of this concept has surged with the rise and development of the Internet and mobile networks. It encompasses numerous aspects such as safeguarding personal space, choice, and data. At the heart of Internet privacy lies the user’s ability to regulate the exposure of their personal information. It highlights the dangers and risks associated with online tracking for personalized ads, data gathering through social media and online transactions, and harmful actions like spyware. Furthermore, it discusses legal regulations, anonymity, and the effects of online conduct. Various technologies leveraged for online tracking and their respective privacy issues are also included in its scope. Internet privacy is a continually evolving, critical field that adapts to new technologies and threats.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ Internet ( Internet ) The Internet, a global network of interconnected computer systems, utilizes standardized communication protocols, predominantly TCP/IP, to connect devices across the globe. The term 'Internet' has its roots in the 1849 term 'internetted' and was later adopted by the US War Department in 1945. The inception of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s when computer scientists developed time-sharing systems, which eventually led to the creation of ARPANET in 1969. The Internet operates autonomously, without any central control, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages its primary name spaces. It has revolutionized traditional communication methods and has seen an exponential growth, with the number of internet users growing by 20% to 50% every year. In 2019, more than half of the global population was using the Internet. The Internet protocol suite, comprising TCP/IP and four conceptual layers, directs internet packets to their intended destinations. Fundamental services such as email and Internet telephony function on the Internet. The World Wide Web, an extensive network of interconnected documents, serves as a crucial element of the Internet.

Internet privacy (Wikipedia)

Internet privacy involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storage, re-purposing, provision to third parties, and display of information pertaining to oneself via the Internet. Internet privacy is a subset of data privacy. Privacy concerns have been articulated from the beginnings of large-scale computer sharing and especially relate to mass surveillance.

Privacy can entail either personally identifiable information (PII) or non-PII information such as a site visitor's behavior on a website. PII refers to any information that can be used to identify an individual. For example, age and physical address alone could identify who an individual is without explicitly disclosing their name, as these two factors are unique enough to identify a specific person typically. Other forms of PII may include GPS tracking data used by apps, as the daily commute and routine information can be enough to identify an individual.

It has been suggested that the "appeal of online services is to broadcast personal information on purpose." On the other hand, in his essay "The Value of Privacy", security expert Bruce Schneier says, "Privacy protects us from abuses by those in power, even if we're doing nothing wrong at the time of surveillance."

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