Have you ever paused mid-scroll through your social media feed and wondered, “Wait, how did this app know I was thinking about new shoes?” Or felt a chill down your spine when Google Maps casually reminds you that you’ve visited your favorite café ten times this month? You’re not alone. Digital privacy—the right to control who has access to your personal data—is becoming a key battleground of the modern age. The stakes are higher than you might think (Marwick & boyd, 2019).
Why Should We Care About Privacy Anyway?
At first glance, digital privacy might seem trivial. After all, what’s the worst thing companies can do with your browsing history or favorite coffee shop visits? Yet, the implications run deeper. Privacy isn’t just about protecting embarrassing selfies; it’s about preserving fundamental freedoms in a digital world that constantly pushes boundaries (Karppinen, 2017).
Imagine your personal data as pieces of a puzzle. This information seems disconnected from each other. But when combined, they reveal complex details about a user’s habits, preferences, relationships, and even vulnerabilities. Once collected, this information can be used to manipulate, monitor, and even discriminate and target advertising (Nissenbaum, 2018).
This data creates what researchers call a “digital shadow”. This shadow is a complete profile that follows you as you move from one platform to another and from one device to another. This shadow says more about you than you think and can reveal behaviors of which you are not aware. Companies can access sensitive information about your health, your finances and your political views that you have not shared.
Also, when data is used in the wrong way, it can change politics. It can guide what we buy. It can shape how we behave with others. These changes come slowly, and most users never notice. So, data safety is more than a personal thing. It is a social and political matter too. Giving up privacy is not only one person’s choice. It can shift power between citizens, big companies and even whole countries.
Understanding Digital Rights: A Basic Primer
Digital rights generally include the right to privacy, the right to freedom of expression online, and the right to participate in the digital economy without discrimination or censorship (Goggin et al., 2017). A person’s digital identity, which closely mirrors their offline self, consequently shapes many facets of everyday life: securing employment, forming personal relationships, and interacting with both fellow citizens and governmental institutions.
Goggin et al. (2017) conducted an in-depth study on digital copyright in Australia and concluded that digital copyright is increasingly important for citizen engagement in the 21st century. The study emphasizes that digital copyright, as an essential element of a democratic society, must be strongly protected and defended, not only as a matter of technology.
When privacy is violated, people often engage in self-censorship to avoid prosecution, punishment or legal action, which limits freedom of expression. Misuse of personal data can also distort algorithmic systems, leading to unfair results in credit scoring, recruitment, healthcare and other areas. Therefore, privacy is not only a technical issue, but also a basic human right.
Current Spotlight: The TikTok Dilemma
TikTok, the hugely popular short video app, is at the center of a global controversy over data protection and digital rights. TikTok is owned by the Chinese tech giant ByteDance and has more than one billion active users worldwide, most of whom are teenagers (Flew, 2021).
In his analysis of platform regulation, Flew (2021) examines the unprecedented challenges that apps like TikTok pose to existing regulatory frameworks. He argues that the international nature of these platforms creates legal complexities that are difficult to manage effectively through traditional government regulation. This regulatory gap is particularly problematic when considering TikTok’s data collection practices.
The platform has evolved from a niche application to a cultural phenomenon that influences everything from music trends to political debates. While content distribution algorithms are highly effective at retaining users over the long term, their effectiveness has also raised questions about the platform’s ability to understand users and create personalized experiences.
In recent years, there has been increasing concern about how TikTok handles user data. Critics accuse the platform of collecting too much data about user behavior, devices, location, and even biometric data such as facial and voice recognition. Of particular concern is that the Chinese government has access to this data.
In the United States, this issue has already led to congressional hearings and bills are being considered to restrict or ban TikTok. In Europe, investigations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which aims to establish an effective data protection framework for Europe and identify possible data protection violations on the platform, are on the rise.
A Closer Look: What Does TikTok Know?
When using TikTok, the app not only follows the user’s video preferences, but also monitors their typing patterns, device characteristics, other installed apps, location information, and even interactions with other users (Suzor, 2019). This data forms a digital fingerprint that can be used for targeted advertising and recommendations. Despite TikTok’s assurances to users that their data is safe, people remain skeptical.
The app’s privacy policy confirms that it collects a lot of information: It collects the videos you watch (and how long you watch them), comments, messages, and even content you write but don’t publish. It also tracks your writing habits to determine your typing speed and typos, information that can indicate your emotional state or confidence.
This comprehensive data can be used for a variety of applications. First, it is used in TikTok’s highly effective recommendation algorithm. This algorithm builds user loyalty by constantly providing users with content that matches their preferences. It also enables targeted advertising, making it an attractive platform for advertisers. Finally, this data also provides valuable insights into cultural trends, public opinion, and new consumption behaviors among different groups and regions.
Some voices warn that wrong use of AI brings serious danger. They fear stolen data and secret spying. They also worry about harm to our minds. Algorithms can spread false stories. They can filter talks to favor one camp. They can feed us crafty posts that make us scroll forever (Marwick & boyd, 2019).
Additionally, these data sets could also shift global power play. They may guide public mood and actions in new, gentle ways. While there is currently no evidence of such manipulation, this theoretical possibility underscores the strategic importance of data management in international relations.
Navigating the Minefield: Government Regulation vs. Corporate Responsibility
The TikTok incident raises a broader question: What level of privacy protection can users reasonably expect, and who should protect it? Should governments enact strict regulations to protect personal data, or should tech companies voluntarily adopt high ethical standards?
This issue reflects a fundamental contradiction in digital governance. Government regulation provides democratic oversight and accountability, but is often time-consuming and lacking in technical expertise. Corporate self-regulation can be more flexible, but gives rise to conflicts of interest when the profit motive conflicts with user protection.
In the European Union, the GDPR imposes strict rules on consent, data minimization, transparency and accountability, setting a global standard. Protecting users’ personal data is a top priority for businesses, as violations carry stiff penalties. In contrast, data protection in the United States remains fragmented, with state laws offering inconsistent protections (Flew, 2021).
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act are steps toward more comprehensive protections, but they lack the national consistency of the GDPR. This fragmentation poses a challenge both for users who want to understand their rights and for businesses who need to ensure compliance across jurisdictions.
The gap between the rapid pace of technological development and the relatively slow pace of legal development creates serious problems. Legislators struggle to keep pace with new technologies, while technology companies often fail to anticipate privacy issues despite their rapid innovation (Suzor, 2019).
Why Privacy Needs to Be a Global Standard
Privacy advocates believe that global standards like the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) should be harmonized so that everyone can enjoy robust protection no matter where they live or what platforms they use. Consistency will help users navigate their digital lives safely and encourage organizations in general to adopt transparent and ethical data practices (Goggin et al., 2017).
Global standards would address several current challenges. First, they would eliminate regulatory arbitrage—where companies exploit differences in privacy laws across jurisdictions. Second, they would reduce compliance costs for businesses by providing clear, consistent guidelines. Third, they would establish baseline protections for users in regions currently lacking adequate privacy frameworks.
The increasing interconnectedness of digital systems makes this global approach necessary. Data flows across borders constantly, making purely national approaches to privacy protection increasingly inadequate. International cooperation on privacy also helps address power imbalances between individuals and the multinational corporations that control much of our digital infrastructure.
Moreover, privacy needs to become an integral aspect of digital literacy. Public awareness campaigns, education initiatives, and transparent communication by tech companies can empower individuals to protect their own data proactively, rather than merely reacting to scandals after they happen (Nissenbaum, 2018).
Taking Control: Practical Steps for Digital Self-Defense
While awaiting robust global standards, individuals can adopt practical measures to safeguard their digital lives:
- Audit your apps: regularly review permissions granted to apps and delete those you no longer use. Many applications request access to far more data than they need for basic functionality. Consider whether a weather app genuinely needs access to your contacts or camera, or if a game requires your precise location.
- Prioritize privacy settings: spend time adjusting your social media, email, and smartphone settings to limit unnecessary data exposure. This includes disabling location tracking when not needed, using privacy-focused browsers, and regularly clearing cookies and browsing history.
- Practice digital minimalism: reduce your digital footprint by limiting the number of online accounts, deleting old profiles and using privacy-friendly search, email and browser solutions.
- Use encryption: use encrypted communication channels and data storage solutions whenever possible.
- Read the privacy policy: privacy policies are often long and complex, but if you understand the key points of a privacy policy, you can make an informed decision about the services you wish to use. Pay particular attention to information about sharing data with third parties, retention periods and options for accessing or deleting data.
- Demand transparency: support companies that make data protection a priority, and hold them to account for their failure to protect users. Consumer pressure will encourage companies to change their behavior. If enough users express concerns about data protection practices, or turn to more privacy-friendly alternatives, companies will take note.
- Participate in advocacy: support organizations working for stronger privacy protections and more ethical technology. Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy International, and the Center for Democracy & Technology play crucial roles in advocating for user rights in policy discussions.
Final Thoughts: Privacy Isn’t Just a Luxury—It’s a Necessity
Ultimately, privacy is more than just a preference. It’s a fundamental right that preserves our autonomy, dignity, and freedoms. As technology evolves, our commitment to digital rights must evolve alongside it. It’s not about rejecting technology but ensuring technology respects and enhances human rights, rather than diminishing them (Karppinen, 2017).
The digital revolution has brought unprecedented benefits—connecting people across vast distances, democratizing access to information, and creating new opportunities for education, commerce, and expression. However, these benefits shouldn’t come at the cost of our most fundamental rights.
Privacy facilitates other essential freedoms—the freedom to form and express opinions without surveillance, to associate without scrutiny, and to develop as individuals without constant monitoring. These freedoms are the foundation of democratic societies and must be preserved in digital contexts.
TikTok’s ongoing privacy controversies illustrate the broader struggle between commercial interests and personal rights. By critically engaging with privacy issues and proactively asserting our digital rights, we contribute to a digital world where technology serves humanity—not the other way around (Flew, 2021).
As we navigate this complex landscape, we must remember that today’s decisions about privacy will shape tomorrow’s digital ecosystem. The standards we accept, the protections we demand, and the awareness we cultivate will determine whether the digital future enhances or diminishes human dignity and freedom.
References
Flew, T. (2021). Regulating platforms (pp. 72–79). Polity Press.
Goggin, G., Vromen, A., Weatherall, K., Martin, F., Webb, A., Sunman, L., & Bailo, F. (2017). Digital rights in Australia: Executive summary and digital rights: What are they and why do they matter now? University of Sydney.
Karppinen, K. (2017). Human rights and the digital. In H. Tumber & S. Waisbord (Eds.), The Routledge companion to media and human rights (pp. 95–103). Routledge.
Marwick, A., & boyd, d. (2019). Understanding privacy at the margins: Introduction. International Journal of Communication, 13, 1157–1165.
Nissenbaum, H. (2018). Respecting context to protect privacy: Why meaning matters. Science and Engineering Ethics, 24(3), 831–852. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-015-9674-9
Suzor, N. P. (2019). Who makes the rules? In Lawless: The secret rules that govern our lives (pp. 10–24). Cambridge University Press.
The Wall Street Journal. (2018, May 22). GDPR: What is it and how might it affect you? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6wwBqfSk-o
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