My work:

What kinds of information about yourself are you giving away when you use apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat?

It feels like I'm leaving digital breadcrumbs everywhere. These aren't just random bits ofdata; they paint a vivid picture of who I am, from the basic details like my name and birthday to my personal likes, dislikes, and even the places I frequent. It's a bit likeleaving a diary open on a park bench, but in a digital sense.

What information did you find in the Personal Information and Privacy section on Google?

Peering into Google's "Personal Information and Privacy" section is akin to opening a Pandora's box of my digital footprints. It's more than just what I've searched for; it's a map of my digital journey, from the places I've physically visited to the whispers of my voice commands captured by Google's ears, and even the digital trails I leave across my devices and apps.

Did you find any information about yourself when you googled your name? Do you have a common name that gives you lots of results or an uncommon one that nets you fewer?

Throwing my name into Google's search bar is always an interesting experiment. With a name like Josh Epstein, the results could swing either way, blending in with a crowd of Josh Epstein's or standing out with snippets that are uniquely mine.

What two sites did you try? Did you find any additional information about yourself? Was it correct? Is there a way to have the entry removed from the site?

When I dive deeper, venturing beyond the usual haunts to explore my digital shadow on various websites, the experience is a mixed bag. I might start with professional networks like LinkedIn or personal projects that have made their way online. The accuracy of what I find ranges from mirror-like reflections to outdated echoes of my past self.

Instructions:

The major purpose of this assignment is to have you do some academic library research involving the issues of databases and privacy, then do some critical thinking and analysis about these issues, and finally present the results in an organized and professional post

My work:

Exploring how databases and privacy mix is like figuring out how to keep your personal stuff safe while enjoying cool online features. Even though young people seem cool with sharing online, they're just looking at privacy in a new way. As we get more tech-savvy, we might see stricter rules, smarter tech to keep our info safe, more people talking about privacy, and maybe even a change in how we all think about sharing online. It's about finding a sweet spot where we can enjoy the tech without losing our privacy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8800549/ Links to an external site.

Throughout the "What Do Companies Know About You?" assignment, I delved into the extensive personal data collection by various online platforms, uncovering the sheer volume of information shared through everyday digital interactions. This insight was both enlightening and daunting, emphasizing the importance of proactive digital footprint management. Meanwhile, the "Database Technology and Privacy Issues" discussion enhanced my research and analytical skills, exploring the evolving privacy expectations and the crucial balance between technology use and data protection. Both assignments profoundly enriched my understanding of information science, underscoring the intricate relationship between technological advancement and privacy norms, and highlighted the need for ongoing education on personal data management in our digital society.