Posting Secrets: The Paradox of Online Privacy

POSTING SECRETSThe Paradox of Online Anonymity and Privacy

TL Hines | MLA Offline Conference | February 20, 2010

POSTING SECRETSThe Paradox of Online Anonymity and Privacy

TL Hines | MLA Offline Conference | February 20, 2010

POSTING SECRETSThe Paradox of Online Anonymity and Privacy

TL Hines | MLA Offline Conference | February 20, 2010

POSTING SECRETSThe Paradox of Online Anonymity and Privacy

TL Hines | MLA Offline Conference | February 20, 2010

TODAY’SSECRET AGENDA The human need for anonymity

Anonymity meets technology

The good, the bad, the ugly

The paradox of online privacy

Discussion

WHO IS THIS GUY?

I’m TL Hines. I write weird stuff.

My post secret: I’m also an online addict.

Most recent book features an online spammer who steals identities.

SECRECY, ANONYMITY, HUMANITY An innate desire for

secrecy...and yet, an innate desire to see and share.

Voyeuristic & vicarious = gossip, the very nature of celebrity in our culture.

Confessional and cleansing = relief, the basis of 12-step programs and modern therapy.

THE ONLINESECRETSOCIETY

Sites dedicated to anonymity: PostSecret, 4Chan, Something Awful, etc.

Wikis, blogs, forums, comments, email addresses

Pseudonyms: Role Players, Posers, NotIdentities

AND WHAT’S SO WRONG WITH THAT? Nothing. Once again, it fulfills

human needs to confess, and to live vicariously.

Lets people ask and learn without shame or embarrassment.

Healthy exercise of imagination = act out fantasies, create art/satire, connect with others.

COME TO THE DARK SIDE, LUKE. Online anonymity = the death

of civility?

The “troll” effect; the Godwin Law.

Defamation, slander and libel = easier than ever.

The fine line between fascination and fixation.

GOING OFF THE DEEP END.

Phishing, malware, adware, identity theft.

Online harassment, predators, and stalking.

Immune in Montana? Hello, DA Davidson = info from 226,000 customers compromised.

THE PRIVACY PARADOX.

On the one hand, the anonymity of the Internet makes us feel more secure, encourages us to be more “vulnerable.”

On the other hand, technology is eroding—not enhancing—our privacy.

SEARCH ON WITH GOOGLEA clever Super Bowl ad that shows how pervasive Google has become.

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?Old school techniques = Anonymous for 20+ years. Technology = Identified in 24 hours.

BUT...How many secret documents are floating around with your name attached?

UNMASKED BY GOOGLE“Secret” blogger revealed after a defamation lawsuit.

BUT...Google and ISPs would just as willingly hand over records of your web activity.

MYFAKESPACE: HARASSMENT13-year-old killed herself due to harassment from Lori Drew on a fake account.

BUT...This case set a precedent, making it illegal to have a “fake” identity.

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE... Simple Google search = Your

address and phone. More detail: ID reports ($15).

Current photos and information: you and your family/associates.

Satellite and street views of your home.

Geotagged mobile photos: I can see inside your home.

OH, BUT I’M TOO CAREFUL FOR THAT. Your IP address gets logged,

making your visits trackable.

Downloads remain “visible” even after you delete.

Cookies = History of your searches and activity.

You give up information about yourself to Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, etc.

IT GETS SCARIER.

Locational privacy is disappearing.

It’s not just the “Interwebs” now: mobile phones, public wi-fi, electronic swipe cards, electronic traffic signals, loyalty cards and credit cards can all give away your location.

IT GETS SCARIER.

Your insurance company could see how often you go to the health club. Or the doctor. Or therapy.

Your employer could see where you go at lunch. Did you have an interview at a competitor’s office?

Your ex could find out where you’re going on dates—and when you get home.

IS 2010 THE NEW 1984?Yes. No. Maybe.

PRIVACY: SWIRLING THE DRAIN? Low threshold for disclosure:

it’s not difficult to subpoena records. (And let’s not even talk about hackers.)

Terms of Service are getting more invasive.

Automation of social media services such as Google Buzz: connections you might not realize.

STAY SAFE OUT THERE.

Browser setup: Fake ‘em out, track those cookies.

Set up an email account for signups and transactions. Keep your “real” email safe.

Look at privacy policies and Terms of Service.

Google yourself. Ask to have listings removed.

STAY SAFE OUT THERE.

Don’t use search engine email services (gmail or Yahoo).

Create a robots.txt file to exclude portions of your site from search engines.

Use a laptop.

Use a public computer.

QUESTIONS?

Thank you. Thank you very much.

www.tlhines.com