The world wide web (www) was preliminary designed to connect people electronically from different parts of the world. However, over the last couple of decades or so, grave concerns have been raised about the safety of the internet. keep in mind; before I elaborate further, there are three layers of the Internet that function completely differently from each other. consider it as Olympic, but only limited to three categories of sports. Allow me to add it here instead of starting a new paragraph; (I) Surface Web (which I personally classify as a Community Club), thatÔÇÖs the Internet where you can read my blog or navigate to Facebook, Twitter, Google search, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, Uber Eats or maybe majdiology.com. (II) Deep Web (basically designed for P2P (Peer to peer) collectively right-minded groups who prefer to have their contents hidden and unindexed by any search engine spiders. It is mainly meant to share illegal content such as pirated downloads, live penetration of an illegal act, child pornographies, protected wildlife trades which ÔÇ£I personally witnessed on many occasions while I was a delivery driverÔÇØ, underground activities such as brothels, etc., (I trust you got my point since IÔÇÖm trying to make this piece as short as I can by invoking your thoughts). Anyhow, I still wouldnÔÇÖt start a new paragraph when it arrives at the last layer. (III) Dark Web (IÔÇÖll publish a detailed separate piece dedicated to it in the near future), at any rate, let’s keep dancing along! Simply, the Dark Web can only be accessed through ÔÇ£ Overlay NetworksÔÇØ. Whether you are using Chrome, Firefox, Safari (God forbids), Opera, etc., your hands are tied. The Dark Web is preliminarily designed and intended to run and to only function on top of your internet. That is, your browsers or favourite search engines wonÔÇÖt ever discover the Dark Web which is responsible for over 80% of the entire Internet.
Undoubtedly, the internet is one of the best resources available to us today, whether we are talking about performing our day-to-day duties or simply bonding with our families and/or friends. However, the internet has now become extremely dangerous and many industries have been created through the misuse of the platform.
For instance, letÔÇÖs take the case of applications we use for our mobile phones devices. There are thousands of these apps available on the internet. Everyone is entitled to download any application they wish for whatever reason. However, one would expect that their right to privacy is not lost whenever they decide to download and use an app on their mobile device. But the sad reality is that many people have poor knowledge and little understanding of the terms and conditions that are assigned to the use of such an app, and often this ignorance comes back to bite them. We are all victims of this.
Sooner or later, our online privacy will be a thing of the past as the authorities may not be able to effectively police the consumers’ privacy when it comes to using apps. Because of the highly complex nature of and confusion surrounding the terms and conditions, which are deliberately created by the attorneys of the developers of these applications. Surely, none of us would willingly forfeit our rights to the government to act as ÔÇ£Big BrotherÔÇØ in our behaviour. But it is fair to expect the developers & their Attorneys to disclose all relevant information in simple, succinct ways and clarify where customersÔÇÖ information is stored when using the applications. Hosting companies such as the Store Play of Google & App Store of Apple must be held accountable for hosting unverified hidden codes that would potentially compromise usersÔÇÖ privacy & security.
I found it extremely prominent to disclose that the two largest app hosting providers listed above are the beneficiaries of each & every sold or subscribed, used, tried, or even downloaded through their platforms.
Many developers and service providers often seek to hide their malign intentions through the presentation of several dozens of pages of terms and conditions. They count on consumerÔÇÖs ignorance and unwillingness to read the terms and conditions. These providers need to be reminded that we cannot hire a lawyer every time we purchase or freely install an app to ensure they explain the liabilities and entitlements related to such products.
Additionally, the use of third-Party entities (in the form of plugins, etc.,) in the provision of services to consumers should be demolished by the big corporations and service providers. If these companies use third-party companies to provide services or products, they should take full responsibility when it comes to any liability suffered by consumers.
The same should also apply to the use of Credit Cards or rewards cards. These days rewards points are being used quite frequently. These companies also use the so-called surveys as instruments to collect our personal information. Companies like Google even go further as they know our private affairs in detail and they are using it against us for marketing purposes.
Most of us have no idea where our details are stored and what is done with them. Therefore, do not be surprised when you receive a phone call from Switzerland or Bangladesh.
IÔÇÖm afraid that one day a stranger will knock on my door and call me by my name, even if I did not invite them.
These things should be of concern to us all. As an IT guy, I urge everyone to take privacy seriously when using the internet on any device.
To protect yourself and minimise any liability or inconvenience, consider taking the following steps:
- Pay attention to warranties and Disclaimers,
- Be very careful with online surveys;
- Never use one email address only, create multiple email addresses (the free ones) and use them for different types of communication;
- Never use your real date of Birth (unless you have to);
- Never use your real full name (unless you have to);
- Never give your physical address (unless you have to);
- Changes your password regularly;
