About the widespread use of technology...

There seems to be not a single web page that does not encourage us to click Facebook’s thumbs-up button, to 'tweet', or to pin something to a virtual mood board. Moreover, as we go through a normal day we leave behind a trail of information about our personal and private life: the OV-Chipkaart carefully traces our whereabouts in the country, 'smart-meters' record water and energy consumption, the AH bonus kaart creates a profile of our consumer behavior. Data is being collected, whether we contribute to it voluntarily or not, at different places, by different people and for different purposes. Yet, if this information was to be pooled together, it would allow for an increasingly detailed insight into our private lives and maybe eventually even for the reconstruction of our identities.

A very common reaction of many people to the threat of privacy loss is to say “I have nothing to hide!” Do you? We feel very safe today, but internet does not forget, neither does it allow us to change any information given away once. We don’t know in whose hands private information about us might end up and a situation could arise in which a lack of privacy and the availability of personal information to authorities could constitute a threat or an impediment. One may rightfully fear the gradual emergence of a state of control and supervision as illustrated in George Orwell’s 1984. Given that it is almost impossible to escape data collection, it becomes more and more important to consider the role the individual takes vis-à-vis technology, privacy, information and power.

In her last lecture, Corien Prins will speak about the extent of privacy loss we are facing, the legal and philosophical consequences of widespread use of technology for data collection, and the threat of privacy loss. On the brighter side, she will reveal possibilities to steer technological progress in the opposite direction with privacy-enhancing technology. However, above all, Ms. Prins will challenge the audience in thinking about what standing they take in the debate about internet, technology and privacy.

Ms. Corien Prins is professor for law and informization and as of January 2013 the Dean of Tilburg Law School. Her research topics include legal questions of ICT, commodification and propertization of information, and consumer protection in ICT-society, as well as identity management and identity theft and fraud in the virtual world.

Her field of expertise yields knowledge, insight and awareness of great relevance for everyone making use of information technology and social media today – definitely including you – which is why we are highly pleased to welcome and present her as our next speaker!

http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about-tilburg-university/culture-and-sports/academic-forum/thelastlecture-feb12/