You Are Tracking Me

I want to start this blog by saying that one essential part of Internet services providers’ business model is tracking users. Without tracking users and collecting usage data, Internet service providers will not be able to provide services and solutions that are customized to a specific user or user group. So, it is a must for companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and even Apple, to track users. As a savvy user of all these Internet services providers, I am comfortable continuing to use these services. And here is why.

What data about me they are collecting? Take my Amazon experience as an example – after several purchases through my Amazon Prime account, next time I log in Amazon or Prime Video I would say recommendations based on my past purchases. The more I make the purchase on Amazon, the more data Amazon collects from my behaviors (not only what I purchase eventually but also what I browse and compare), and the more accurate next time Amazon predicts what I like to eat, drink, and/or watch. As a plain customer who always wants the best price, the best quality, and most time some shopping recommendation, I feel comfortable, if not necessary, that Amazon, as a service provider, has the ability to assist me through the online shopping process. The question should not be whether Amazon collects my data – of course, they do – but should be what Amazon is going to do with my data? If I was Jeff Bezos, I would use my data, as well as the data of millions of customers, to better serve the customers by optimizing the whole algorithm set behind all ventures that Amazon is setting an eye on – e-commerce, logistics, healthcare, media, and education. The algorithm the drives the services need to be constantly fed by data. With that said, you can’t simply argue for a better service without offering data.

Facebook is also tracking me – my posts, my likes, my travels, my connection of friends, and my events, etc. And it’s universally acknowledged that Facebook is selling my data to advertisers so that after I like a Nike-sponsored event I will see the latest advertisement for Nike’s Air Jordan XI. That actually doesn’t bother me much because the algorithm probably works in a way that my subconscious works. What concerns me, however, is the balance between usability and security of Internet services providers like Facebook. Is that an either-or question? Do we have to choose between usability and security? Does the business model of Facebook – selling users’ data to advertisers – fundamentally present a security threat to users? Is it the same case with Google? I think that users are comfortable continuing to use Facebook’s or Google’s services on the basis that their services platforms will not be breached and the user data will not be used in the way that is going to hurt users financially or morally. Services providers like Facebook and Google have the obligation to protect user data and should be regulated so by the government.

Privacy is an overrated term in today’s world. People seem to want both privacy and better data-driven services at the same time without the intention of offering their behavior data to services providers in the first place. I think it is too extreme to say that there is no privacy in today’s world, but I believe it’s fair to say that there is less privacy in today’s world and it will be much less in the future. It is what we lose, but what we gain? If you don’t know the answer, enter that question in the search bar of your best friend – Google. I am sure its algorithm will land you a hand.

[Note: this post is the assignment submitted for the course, DPI-662 Digital Government (Fall 2018), at Harvard Kennedy School.]