Privacy and Security Reflection on Modern Technologies Used by Government

Computer Privacy and Security
Privacy and Security Reflection

Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 2
Smart Sensors...........................................................................................................................3
Personal and Ethical Implications.........................................................................................3
Types of people affected by this decision............................................................................3
Behaviour change in normal citizens....................................................................................4
Expected changes in individual behaviour...........................................................................4
Associated Risks................................................................................................................... 5
Wi-Fi Hotspots..........................................................................................................................5
Personal and ethical implications.........................................................................................5
Types of people affected by this decision............................................................................6
Behaviour change in normal citizens....................................................................................6
Expected changes in individual behaviour...........................................................................6
Implications of sensitive information on mobile device.......................................................6
Digital Identity.......................................................................................................................... 7
Impact of Digital Identity on privacy....................................................................................7
Steps to protect digital identity while operating mobile device...............................................8
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................. 11
References..............................................................................................................................12
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Introduction
The advancement of technology has created more opportunities for individuals and
businesses. It has become easier for people to connect with each other overseas and
expand their business in foreign markets. Popularity of social media sites has made it easier
for people to share their personal life with the rest of the world. The government also uses
modern technologies to provide effective services to people and improve security in the
country. As per Kshetri (2013), the government in places such as Singapore and Hong Kong
uses modern technology such as smart sensor network and smart Wi-Fi network to increase
security and provide better services to people. However, the popularity of these
technologies increases the risk of privacy and security of people because it is relatively easy
for the government to access the private data of individuals without their knowledge. For
security purposes, the government breaches privacy of people by accessing and collecting
their private data. The importance of information ethics is growing as it is becoming easier
for organisations to collect and mine people’s private data. Information ethics provides a
link between ethical and moral standards with collection, organising and use of information
(Quinn, 2014). This report will evaluate the information security and privacy issues by
evaluation four questions relating to use of modern technologies by the government for
providing better services to people. This report will analyse the ethical implications of each
technology face by people and provide recommendations for individuals to improve their
security while using their mobile phones.
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Smart Sensors
The government of Singapore has implemented an initiative called ‘Smart Nation’ in
which they use technology to enable people to live meaningful and fulfilled lives. The
government harness the power of data, info-comm and networks technology to improve
people’s lives, build a closer community and create economic opportunities (Kitchin, 2014).
The smart nation initiative is supported by not only the government but other entities as
well such as businesses, agencies, and citizens. The Australian State Government is inspired
by the ‘Smart Nation Plan’ of Singapore Government and wanted to implement its own
Smart State Plan. Under this plan, the government wanted to install smart sensors and
cameras at various places such as bus stops, traffic lights, rubbish bins and other to monitor
the behaviour of individuals and address the issue of street crimes. Although, there are a
number of benefits of this initiative, however, there are various security, privacy and ethical
issues associated with it which adversely affect various parties.
Personal and Ethical Implications
While implementing the Smart Nation Plan, it is necessary that urban planners must
consider the risks and benefits of smart city sensor programs. In past few years, planners
have started realising that this technology has the potential to solve various intransigent
problems by monitoring people and collecting their personal data. However, it is important
to realise the sensor network systems are not without risks and there are several key issues
associated with the technology (Neirotti, De Marco, Cagliano, Mangano & Scorrano, 2014).
The technology has the ability to collect continuous flow of private data of people, and the
data is collected by public agencies which mean that federal or local public agencies can
request them. Thus, it is important to ensure that the data collected by using smart city
sensors are not used for tracking or targeting individuals or groups in a way which results in
challenging the privacy of those people.
Types of people affected by this decision
The Australian Government wanted to address the issue of street crimes by using smart
city sensor systems through which the government can monitor the activities of people
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