Privacy Versus Security: Personal Data and Internet Use, Is Your Privacy Being Eroded?

Privacy versus Security: Personal Data & Internet Use There are many Americans who are perplexed by the very topic of Internet Privacy as well as the security of their personal data. While the topics, privacy and security are clearly defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as two different things, they possess the ability to work together while one does not encroach upon the other. While these are two different topics, there are some that make the mistake of using these terms interchangeably. There is a way to maintain not being observed while remaining secure. Some fear that the mere use of the Internet is funneling their information to some huge database recording personal activity along with personal information. Others are conspiracy theorists as well and believe that internet use is coerced and a plan to track movement and habits. There are many 9/11 conspiracy theories including that the signals to the airplanes was hacked by the government so that the planes and their captains would be rendered helpless and not be able to avoid the eminent crashes. There are also those who view the need for privacy regarding personal data and security as able to coexist without cancelling each other out. And on the other side of the coin, there are some (some technology professionals included) who feel that national security trumps the need and right of personal privacy when surfing the web. The nature of the privacy versus security issue is that many, even those in decision-making positions are not sure of the actual difference between security and privacy. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines privacy as “the quality or state of being apart from company or observation: seclusion b: freedom from unauthorized intrusion privacy>, a place of seclusion, and also secrecy b: a private matter” (Merriam-Webster). Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary also defines security as the following: “1 the quality or state of being secure: as a: freedom from

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