Must They Take My Photos Without (Barely) Asking? Mobile Privacy Concerns

This article is more than just about whether or not mobile apps require me to automatically upload all or none of my pictures. However, I'm starting out with this because this is how they “get you.”

When it comes to preserving our personal data, it sickens me to think that phone apps would require such a thing. I want to be able to choose which photos to upload and which ones to leave on my phone, tablet, or other device.

I link this is what's going on in the world today. It's a total push for lack of privacy—which seems so contradictory to the push to fight against identity theft.

So What's This Really About?

Concerns about the government tapping into devices and surprise surveillance on citizens has really increased my anxiety. All the little mobile privacy breaches I experience from day to day caused me to ponder this situation even more. Some of the most prevalent security leaks are ones that leave me feeling the most violated are the ones coming from mobile devices.

Besides the (almost) forced automatic upload issue, I am also concerned about the following:

• Messages practically demanding that I share my location. To put it simply, what if I just don't want to do that? What if I'd rather not let anyone know the latitude and longitude of where I live? Seriously, why is that even necessary except when I need directions?
• The requirement of phone verification when I log in on a different device. Sometimes it happens if I'm on a different network than my own. However, it's still annoying. I realize this is supposed to cut down on social network fraud and financial account attacks. Still, it's quite a nuisance that I have to keep verifying my own accounts.
• Apps that want permission to change the contents of my USB device. Actually, I'm not even sure what exactly that means. However, it just sounds scary. It makes me want to lock some of my folders just in case.

Why Is It So Wide Open On Mobile?

Privacy has always been an issue, especially since the use of the Internet first started about two decades ago. However, it seems like even more of an issue with mobile devices connected to the Internet.

I wonder why that is, and I have a few theories of my own:

• No new legislation covers certain privacy matters on mobile devices.
• Spam laws enacted in 1993 may leave loopholes concerning text, mobile apps, etc.
• Security is not as advanced on phones, tablets, PDAs, netbooks, notebooks, and ultrabooks.
• Laws concerning espionage and government information tapping may not cover use of Internet surveillance.

Isn't It Just Obvious What's Right And Wrong?

When it comes to using the Internet to spy on people, sometimes the lines are grayer. After all, this medium of communication reaches the entire world. It might be more black and white if all Internet transmission was still done over phone lines, but it's not. We now have cable and wireless routers in addition to DSL and cable.

I don't have the answers concerning the Internet and mobile security breaches. All I know is this issue of privacy can be likened to the way online marketers often worked around local gambling laws. The only difference is now we are gambling with our own personal data. 

By Erin Walsh

Guest Author: Erin Walsh loves to blog about anything to do with technology. Thankfully, her "real" job is something that she loves to do, blog about technology. Erin's blog at PC Health Boost is centered around helping everday computer users solve common computer errors with solutions that anyone can troubleshoot. She offers all of her advice whether you use her pc utility software or not. Hop on over and find out how to speed up you pc, avoid screen freezes, fix dll errors, and more.

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