Let’s assume digital citizenship


In her wonderful book Privacy is Power, Carissa Veliz answers a question that has been raised for many years with the accelerated advent of new technological developments about whether privacy still existed. For her, it continues to exist and must be defended under the new digital ecosystem. And it is that today, it seems, there is not a corner of our life that is not susceptible to capture by digital environments. Think of the sleep measurements with smart watches or the times when you clean the floor of your house with a robot vacuum cleaner. Apparently all human life is called to be converted into data that profiles us, segments us and predicts our behavior.

Is this process inevitable? I think so. In the next 10 years we will observe deeper transformations linked to the so-called metaverses of immersive reality where the so-called internet of the senses will be a daily reality. Tasting a Colombian coffee (without really trying it), living the experience of a World Cup final (without really being in it) or climbing a mountain (with sweating and fatigue included) will take over more and more of our routines, distancing the human being from the experiential reality to immerse you every day in a virtual reality where everything is measurable, everything is predictable and where, without a doubt, sensations, reactions and emotions will be measurable within the system.

In this context, in recent days we had two interesting events. On the one hand, the Mexican soccer league has openly implemented the so-called Fan ID, causing controversy regarding the use of some biometric data. On the other hand, the announcement by Meta (Facebook) regarding greater transparency of its privacy policy which, without being modified, fosters better conditions of understanding regarding what this giant does with information.

Both cases have a common denominator, which is the way in which the collection, handling, transfer and storage of data is communicated. It would be naive to launch an alert about this type of data capture, as it is every time we interact with the technology industry, with the banking system or even with any company that works with data from our private sphere. What does make a difference is the information that is available regarding data management because while the Mexican league has an area of ​​opportunity regarding the transparency of data management, the giant Meta takes a significant step to comply in the manner more appropriate with the principle of information that governs all processing of the same.

It is pertinent to assume that in the digital age our behavior has to be guided by digital responsibilities. This implies not only being aware of who I share my data with, properly informing me of their processes, but also respecting the privacy of others and, of course, knowing how to reject data capture processes when they are clearly disproportionate or abusive.

The modification in terms of transparency of the Meta notice is a clear call to all of us to assume this digital citizenship with all that it implies. Citizenship for the industry in terms of providing the best and most transparent information spaces, but also citizenship for all of us, forcing us to be duly informed of the processes carried out by all the organizations that process data emanating from our private lives.

As a right that it is, private life is a choice that entails its widening or weakening. It is up to each of us to make that choice. It is no longer time to assume ourselves as victims of data management, on the contrary, it is time to strengthen and empower a new citizen of the world: the digital citizen.

*The author is a Doctor of Law, director of the UP School of Government and Economics and a member of the National System of Researchers in Mexico.



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