MN501 - Privacy Rights: Individuals vs. Celebrities in Digital Age

This essay delves into the complex topic of privacy, particularly focusing on the contrast between individual rights and the privacy concerns of celebrities in the digital age. It highlights the increasing importance of data privacy with the rise of technology and the potential for misuse by corporations a...Read More

Running head: INDIVIDUALS DESIRE PRIVACY
Individuals desire privacy
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1INDIVIDUALS DESIRE PRIVACY
Privacy is a hot topic for tech companies nowadays. With the reduction of data charges and
increased proliferation of broadband in developing economies, privacy has gained significant attention over
the years. Huge amount of information is stored online now and this marked the beginning of digital era.
Although the digital era has thrown up significant opportunities for the masses and also has significant
contribution in changing their lifestyles but this has some side effects [6]. This revolution also has thrown
opportunities to cyber criminal and also to government officials to spy on the life of normal citizens [7].
Celebrities are also not immune from the ravages that this technology era brings. Their personal life is being
affected because of this. This essay will discuss privacy in general and will also provide an insight into
privacy for celebrities.
Recently, there was uproar over leakage of data form millions of Facebook users and it was also
argued that it was used for political purposes. There is also a need to know that just by driving down the
street important privacy issues are also raised too. A smart phone user’s location is always tracked whether
they want to or not. Recently, Google admitted that location of a particular user is tracked even when the
location settings are turned off [9]. This particular case is classic example of violation of privacy rights but
the sad thing is that there is nothing that a common citizen can do. It is true that many scholars contend the
fact that privacy is not absolute since privacy in legal terms is defined as being amorphous as it constitutes
everything from dignity, free movement, religion and liberty [2]. The next portion of this paragraph will talk
about a browser’s stance on improving privacy of its users. Users who normally do not pay attention to
technology are also taking privacy on the internet seriously. There is not a single user who would like to be
watched without consent. Popular companies that offer web browsers such as Microsoft and Google are
often on the wrong foot. Business needs often triumph ethical issues for these companies. Often methods
used in data collection by these companies are controversial and these companies are largely unapologetic
about that fact [10]. Firefox which is a browser is developed by a non-profit organization Mozilla has no
interest in collecting and distributing user data [8]. For example, when users try to install Google chrome a
page is there asking them to enter account information. This should not be the case for installing a browser.
Both Microsoft and Google prompts user to sign up for accounts. This is where for getting free service, users
end up paying with their digital freedom. Hoards of passwords, data and user history are tied up with

2INDIVIDUALS DESIRE PRIVACY
Microsoft and Google. For Mozilla, far less data is tied with Firefox and astonishingly most data can be
easily exported and there are security extensions which work cross browser. Google chrome which is the
most widely used browser supports ‘do not track’ but the fact is that it is not easily accessible. This is
hidden under advanced settings and upon clicking it will deliver long string of word stating that the feature
may or may not change behavior of a website [1]. Legal enforcement of the idea is not there and it is just
laughable to think that Google will implement the very feature for its own products and services. The
reason is very simple on why the rule is not being implemented. Companies like Microsoft and Google
make money by using user data for advertising. Mozilla does not have any interest in collecting user data
since it does not sell advertising. The company’s policy states that what it does with user data and how
long it retains the data. They are far more transparent than giant conglomerates like Google. Actually,
there is no competitor that challenges the hegemony of conglomerates like Microsoft and Google. The final
portion of this essay will talk about privacy in the life of celebrities and why it matters. An online search for
any celebrities will reveal images and stories from appearances in red carpet and what they eat for
breakfast. It is clear that media has interest in publishing images and stories and they do it for money but
with the ever expanding digital technology, professional and private lives of celebrities are scrutinized even
more. Everyone is guaranteed freedom of expression and right to privacy by human rights convention. As
an example, let’s take the example of Kate Middleton. In the year 2012, a French magazine published
topless photos of Duchess of Cambridge. It seemed that the photo was taken with the help of long lens
camera [3]. A statement released by the palace indicated that this was considered as an excess by the press
and it reminded them about the excesses done by the media during the life of Princess of Wales. On the
magazine part, they gave a lame excuse that it was done on basis of public interest. This was by far the
lamest excuse. Justice got served by the French court when the court decided in favor of the royal palace
and awarded them compensation. The court’s decision showed that distinction must be made between
public interest and what actually is that interest. Celebrities need media attention to promote their
upcoming films or series. This very reason urges newspapers and people to question whether celebrities
have the right to criticize media when they are the ones trying to garner more media attention. An example
would showcase the above stated fact. An actor couple (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas) sold

3INDIVIDUALS DESIRE PRIVACY
exclusive rights to a magazine for publishing their wedding photos [4]. However, a different magazine
obtained their wedding photos secretly and published it. This caused a tension when they tried to assert
right to privacy before a court since they had already sold the rights for publishing photographs. The high
court ruled that intrusion on the couple’s privacy cannot be justified. However, there was a twist in the
tale. In a major blow to privacy campaigners, court stressed that ruling was based on grounds of
commercial confidentiality. The ruling was not based on the grounds of right to privacy. Upon further
research, it is established that the real problem lies with private individuals online and not the print version
of newspapers. As an example, a popular case known as PJS, a warning was given by the court in order to
prevent a story which provided detailed information about sexual encounters of a person married to
someone in the entertainment industry. There were several people to point out that warning put out by
the court was not effective at all since the PJS has been doing the rounds online several times [5]. There is
no clear remedy available for the celebrities when their privacies are infringed upon. The million dollar
question is how a balance can struck between free expression and privacy. Social media has provided a
huge platform for everyone to exercise rights however; there must be a clear consensus on what can be
considered as a freedom of expression.
From the essay, it can be concluded that the right to privacy is not absolute as the concept itself is
amorphous. It can also be noted from the essay that for big tech companies’ money is the biggest concern
and privacy is sidelined. For celebrities privacy is certainly a matter of right however, they must be able to
differentiate between right to privacy and freedom of expression.

4INDIVIDUALS DESIRE PRIVACY
References:
[1]"3 Compelling Reasons Why Firefox’s Stance On Privacy Is Worth Paying Attention To", MakeUseOf,
2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-compelling-reasons-firefoxs-stance-privacy-
worth-paying-attention/. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].
[2]"Right to privacy is not absolute, observes Supreme Court", http://www.asianage.com/, 2018. [Online].
Available: http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/200717/right-to-privacy-is-not-absolute-observes-
supreme-court.html. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].
[3]R. Jackson and C. Green, "Do Celebrities Have a Right to Privacy?", RightsInfo, 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://rightsinfo.org/celebrities-right-privacy/. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].
[4]C. Byrne, "Zeta Jones wins high court battle", the Guardian, 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/apr/11/pressandpublishing.film. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].
[5]"PJS v News Group Newspapers Ltd (SC) - 5RB", 5RB, 2018. [Online]. Available:
http://www.5rb.com/case/pjs-v-news-group-newspapers-ltd/. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].
[6]Marwick, A.E. and Boyd, D., ‘Networked privacy: How teenagers negotiate context in social media.’, New
Media & Society, 16(7), 2014, pp.1051-1067.
[7]Madden, M., Lenhart, A., Cortesi, S., Gasser, U., Duggan, M., Smith, A. and Beaton, M.,. Teens, social
media, and privacy. Pew Research Center, 21, 2013, pp.2-86.
[8]F. seriously, "Firefox Focus is a super-simple new browser that takes privacy seriously", Android Police,
2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/06/20/firefox-focus-super-simple-new-
browser-takes-privacy-seriously/. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].
[9]"Google admits it tracked user location data even when the setting was turned off", The Verge, 2018.
[Online]. Available: https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/21/16684818/google-location-tracking-cell-tower-
data-android-os-firebase-privacy. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].

5INDIVIDUALS DESIRE PRIVACY
[10]"4 ways Google is destroying privacy and collecting your data", Salon, 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://www.salon.com/2014/02/05/4_ways_google_is_destroying_privacy_and_collecting_your_data_par
tner/. [Accessed: 25- Apr- 2018].