Walking the Digital Line Between Convenience and Privacy
Article published in Longmeadow Neighbors
(June 2023)
In today's digital age, convenience is king. After all, technology is supposed to make our lives easier. We can have our groceries delivered to our doorstep, stream movies on demand, and even control our home appliances with a simple voice command. I like to think of Privacy and Convenience as two ends of a spectrum.
On one end, extreme convenience means handing over as much data as necessary so that using your technology is maximally convenient. This could mean not having a password on your phone to make it easier to log in, using the same password across all your accounts, not using 2-factor authentication, or letting your browser save your passwords. Beyond passwords, it also means the apps you use, the websites you visit, and the habits you have online are such that things “are easy” in exchange for all of your data that makes it that way.
On the other end, extreme privacy means doing most activities “the old fashioned way”. Some people may not use online bill pay or do any online banking at all. Others may have complex passwords that they use for everything but no good system in place to manage them, and find themselves constantly struggling to access anything. In this approach, things take far more time, may require spending long periods of time on the phone trying to get things done “offline”, and may put a strain on your sanity!
However, there can be a healthy middle ground, and where exactly that falls depends on the individual, their familiarity with technology, and how much effort they would want to put into finding a good solution.
When we use apps and services, we often share personal data such as our name, email address, location, and search history. This data is collected and analyzed to provide a more personalized experience, such as targeted advertising, recommendations, and notifications. While this can be convenient, it can also be invasive.
For example, social media platforms use our data to target us with ads. They collect information about our interests, hobbies, and behaviors to create a profile of us that advertisers can target. While this can be useful for advertisers, it can also feel intrusive to users who don't want their personal data to be used in this way.
If you are using social media, it’s important to review your privacy settings to ensure a healthy middle ground between privacy and convenience. Many platforms have implemented ways to request that your data be removed. You can do this intermittently to ensure that you aren’t sharing more than necessary. Another suggestion would be to install an ad blocker. These programs mask your internet traffic online and help reduce the amount of tracking that sites can do.
Another large source of issues for those tending towards the convenience side is weak passwords. Weak passwords are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your personal data. However, many people prefer to reuse the same weak password because they are easy to remember. Here, a password manager program can be used to ensure that strong passwords are used, and that they are easy to locate and manage. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts as well. It requires you to enter a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password, making it much more difficult for hackers to access your account. While some people might find this inconvenient, it is in fact one of the best ways to ensure that your data is safe and secure. We highly recommend using 2-factor authentication when possible and using an “Authentication App” to make this easier.
Finding the right balance between convenience and privacy is essential in today's digital age. By taking the necessary steps to protect your personal data and being mindful of how your data is being used, you can enjoy the convenience of technology without compromising your privacy. Consulting services are available to assist you in reviewing your privacy across multiple platforms. This can include password management solutions and even identity monitoring and info takedown if you have recently been the victim of identity theft or are concerned about the possibility.