What is the impact of technology on privacy and security?

The increasing power and functionality of technology has increasingly invaded privacy and complicated security.

From a privacy standpoint, technology has made it possible for the government to track your travel habits, websites to track your spending and browsing habits, and employers to track your work habits. This means that potentially any action you take may be traceable by anyone interested in your activities. This increasingly invasive evolution of technology has landed far more people in jail, cost people jobs, and undoubtedly cost money and reputation. As technology improves, people that have traditionally never been caught in morally questionable acts are more likely to be exposed through technology. It has also allowed criminals to steal your identity and enabled a whole new class of crimes that were previously impossible or highly improbable. In any case, any modern computer user has far more information shared with more people than they realize than was even possible just 100 years ago.

From a security standpoint, it has increases costs associated with security. For example, before the introduction of technology, the only way to steal from a company was to break in to their property or steal items from an employee; usually, a few common sense rules and a decent lock would deter most thieves. Now, with the proliferation of computer networks, small storage devices, and wireless technology, it is possible for employees to steal data without ever being caught, and for outsiders to steal information and cause monetary damage to a company without ever setting foot on the property. For that matter, the theft may occur from a different state or even a different country, and can be carefully disguised to make it difficult to track down. This has made it harder for companies to avoid theft, and made it easier for those wishing to commit theft or vandalism.

In short, while technology has made life easier, we have largely traded our privacy and placed our security at risk in order for the conveniences that the technology offers.