|
ShannonGeogheganFirstPaper 4 - 10 May 2025 - Main.ShannonGeoghegan
|
| |
| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper" |
|---|
| | | -- By ShannonGeoghegan - 27 Mar 2025 | |
<
< | Author's Note: I pivoted on this revision because I was unsatisfied with the support I provided in my last edit to connect apathy and knowledge. While revising, my focus shifted to the interplay between apathy, data privacy, and American culture. It has a very similar conclusion to the last version, but I hope that the logical reasoning is stronger in this one. | >
> | Author's Note: I pivoted on this revision because I was unsatisfied with the support I provided in my last paper to connect apathy and knowledge. While revising, my focus shifted to the interplay between apathy, data privacy, and American culture. It has a very similar conclusion to the last version, but I hope that the logical reasoning is stronger in this one. | | | | | | In theory, Americans across the political spectrum could band together to demand reform. Many voters are cognizant of the issues and aligned in preference, a rare feat in modern politics. If data privacy was a priority—one that superseded at least some issues Americans disagreed on—it could unite people in advocacy. Unfortunately, this has not happened yet and there is little indication it will. If Americans concerned about data privacy have done little to advance stronger protections, common sense suggests that lesser aware Americans are unlikely to do anything. By and large, constituent behavior has not reflected the magnitude of concern individuals purport to have. | |
<
< | For example, while most Americans contend that they “won’t do business with a company if they have concerns about its security practices,”11 a majority voted for Donald Trump, a man known to skirt security protocols(12) and whose data security practices have faced intense scrutiny.(13) Americans seem content to compromise on data privacy, even though polling and statistics reveal that many are concerned about the issue.(14) More people should ask themselves why they refuse to act; why they are willing to concede without contest. Perhaps the answer is one of priorities, and data privacy simply ranks low. | >
> | For example, while most Americans contend that they “won’t do business with a company if they have concerns about its security practices,”(11) a majority voted for Donald Trump, a man known to skirt security protocols(12) and whose data security practices have faced intense scrutiny.(13) Americans seem content to compromise on data privacy, even though polling and statistics reveal that many are concerned about the issue.(14) More people should ask themselves why they refuse to act; why they are willing to concede without contest. Perhaps the answer is one of priorities, and data privacy simply ranks low. | | | To be generous, some voters last cycle maybe did not understand the full implications of their vote. But Americans who prioritize the economy over humanitarian causes—as technology and data are being used to target vulnerable populations—have informed the culture. A society’s actions reflect its values and priorities, as does its inaction. People should consider in earnest the impact of their actions and the motivations that inspired them. Often, apathy is a choice. It may not be the universal first choice—it may not even be an easy choice—but it is a choice. Americans disinterested in protecting themselves and others have made a choice. | | | Looking forward, attacks on data privacy appear imminent.(15) Current policies seek to attack the vulnerable, to expose and even punish those with whom the administration disagrees. The fear this can breed—demonstrated well on college campuses(16) and at the border(17)—jeopardizes how much and what exactly people are willing or able to share. This process and its result will alter the culture; it will cement what we value and how much. These effects may be short-lived, or they may extend well into the future. The apathy of American voters must be addressed—not just in the non-voting sense, but in how Americans classify their priorities. Much like apathy is a choice, so too is learning from past mistakes and rectifying the damage. | |
<
< | ***STILL EDITING SOURCES! THANK YOU! | | |
- https://epic.org/issues/privacy-laws/united-states/
- http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/rightofprivacy.html
| | |
- https://actonline.org/2024/10/24/pre-election-survey-shows-strong-support-for-a-national-data-privacy-law-other-small-business-priorities/
- https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/12/22/insufficient-data-privacy-legislation-is-costing-companies-three-ways-businesses-are-suffering/
- https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4964626-apathy-myth-voting-barriers/
| |
<
< |
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/nbc-news-exit-poll-voters-express-concern-democracy-economy-rcna178602; https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-pores-top-five-election-takeaways
-
| >
> |
- https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/11/20/how-inflation-impacted-2024-election/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/nbc-news-exit-poll-voters-express-concern-democracy-economy-rcna178602; https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-pores-top-five-election-takeaways
- https://actonline.org/2024/10/24/pre-election-survey-shows-strong-support-for-a-national-data-privacy-law-other-small-business-priorities/
- https://www.enzuzo.com/blog/data-privacy-statistics
- https://www.enzuzo.com/blog/data-privacy-statistics
- https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/trump-presidential-transition-security-risk-1235135882/ ADD
- https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-may-have-sold-classified-binder-russiamary-trump-1853058; https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/us/politics/trump-phone-security.html ADD
- https://actonline.org/2024/10/24/pre-election-survey-shows-strong-support-for-a-national-data-privacy-law-other-small-business-priorities/
- https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/federal-data-security-could-unravel-under-trumps-agenda-a-27426; https://www.npr.org/2025/04/23/nx-s1-5372695/autism-nih-rfk-medical-records
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/college-journalists-wrestle-transparency-students-fear-deportation-speaking-121172331; https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/ice-florida-international-university-immigration-student-visas-rcna201906; https://edtrust.org/blog/undocumented-students-are-living-in-fear-on-college-campuses-the-effects-of-campus-raids/
- https://www.wired.com/2017/02/guide-getting-past-customs-digital-privacy-intact/; https://mashable.com/article/protecting-phone-data-when-entering-the-united-states
| | |
You are entitled to restrict access to your paper if you want to. But we all derive immense benefit from reading one another's work, and I hope you won't feel the need unless the subject matter is personal and its disclosure would be harmful or undesirable. |
|
|
ShannonGeogheganFirstPaper 3 - 10 May 2025 - Main.ShannonGeoghegan
|
| |
| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper" |
|---|
| |
<
< | The Impact of Apathy on the Future of Knowledge | >
> | The Impact of Apathy on Data Privacy [Second Revision] | | | -- By ShannonGeoghegan - 27 Mar 2025 | |
<
< | | >
> | Author's Note: I pivoted on this revision because I was unsatisfied with the support I provided in my last edit to connect apathy and knowledge. While revising, my focus shifted to the interplay between apathy, data privacy, and American culture. It has a very similar conclusion to the last version, but I hope that the logical reasoning is stronger in this one. | | | | |
<
< | Introduction | | | | |
<
< | In the United States, modern data privacy law derives from statutes. The Constitution provides no comprehensive right to data privacy, and the result is a “patchwork approach to privacy.” According to recent studies, Americans care about these laws—or at least they claim to care about them. In truth, the divergence between how much Americans care about data privacy, how greatly the issue affects their voting habits, and how much privacy they are content to concede is enormous. | | | | |
<
< | The implications of poor privacy protections are equally enormous. Not only does weak data privacy correlate with cybercrime, data breaches, and fraud, there are other, more pervasive and analytical implications as well. Poor data privacy may decrease people’s access to knowledge and/or compromise the quality of existing knowledge. To prevent the worst effects of these depravations, data privacy advocates should address the issue of apathy. | >
> | Introduction
In the United States, modern data privacy law derives from statutes.(1) The Constitution provides no comprehensive right to data privacy,(2) and the result is a “patchwork approach to privacy.”(3) According to recent studies, Americans care about these laws—or at least they claim to.(4) In truth, the divergence between how much Americans care about data privacy, how greatly the issue affects their voting habits, and how much privacy they are content to concede is enormous. To prevent the worst effects of weak data privacy laws—including cybercrime, data breaches, fraud, and misuse of information —privacy advocates must address the issue of apathy.(5) | | | | |
>
> | Apathy and Its Effects on Data Privacy
Questions of apathy in the political context generally center around the behavior of nonvoters.(6) But this approach is inadequate, as apathy does not solely manifest in the act of non-voting. It manifests too in the disregard for the dignity of others, in the degradation of societal values and norms. When Americans prioritize certain policies—such as the economic promises made during the last general election —the outcome is a hierarchy of sorts.(7) The resulting strata endorses the advancement of high ranking concerns at the expense of lower ranking concerns, thus shaping the culture. | | | | |
<
< | Apathy and Data Privacy
The world of data privacy has not escaped the deep partisan divides of modern American politics. Where blue states have “emphasize[d] consumer rights and protections,” red states are “prioritize[ing] economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit.” Currently, questions of apathy in the electoral context center around the motivations of nonvoters. Scholars questions what are the motivations of those who do not participate in elections.. Others study why civic engagement is at a “near all-time low,” focusing on the effects of polarization on the electorate.
But apathy does not solely manifest in the act of non-voting. It manifests too in the disregard for the dignity of others, in the degradation of societal values and norms. When Americans prioritize certain policies—such as the economic promises made during the last general election —the result is a hierarchy of sorts. These divisions sanction the advancement of high ranking concerns at the expense of low ranking concerns. Exit polls from the 2024 election indicate that Americans were motivated principally by the economy and immigration, not data privacy. And while this is unsurprising given the national rhetoric—especially considering data privacy is not often a topic of national discourse — the data is concerning. | >
> | Unsurprisingly, exit polls from the 2024 general election indicate that Americans were motivated principally by the economy.(8) Less intuitively, pre- and post-election polling reveals far less about whether Americans were motivated by data privacy concerns. In one poll, 96% “of likely voters sa[id] passing a comprehensive federal privacy law is either extremely, very, or somewhat important.”(9) But despite separate studies confirming that Americans generally distrust social media companies, fear for their digital footprints, and wish that the government would do more to protect their data, questions surround the extent to which Americans act on these concerns.(10) | | | | |
<
< | On the upside, most Americans have the awareness to not trust social media companies to protect their data, and most believe that the government should be doing more to protect it. Most Americans understand that their digital footprint is at risk, and most are concerned about how their data will be used. On paper, it appears as though Americans are highly concerned and educated about the privacy of their data. But in practice, Americans do not act with such concerns top of mind.
Ironically—while most Americans contend that they “won’t do business with a company if they have concerns about its security practices,” —a majority of Americans voted for Donald Trump, a man known to skirt security protocols and whose data security practices have faced intense and warranted scrutiny. The disconnect between what Americans think, how they act, and what they prioritize is unanswered for. In practice, Americans seem content to dismiss their privacy concerns. | >
> | In theory, Americans across the political spectrum could band together to demand reform. Many voters are cognizant of the issues and aligned in preference, a rare feat in modern politics. If data privacy was a priority—one that superseded at least some issues Americans disagreed on—it could unite people in advocacy. Unfortunately, this has not happened yet and there is little indication it will. If Americans concerned about data privacy have done little to advance stronger protections, common sense suggests that lesser aware Americans are unlikely to do anything. By and large, constituent behavior has not reflected the magnitude of concern individuals purport to have. | | | | |
<
< | For example, many Americans are “willing to trade some of their data for discounts by subscribing to newsletters…” And despite their concerns, Americans and their media engages in little to no national discourse on data privacy. Although Americans do not themselves make policy, their means for implementing change—namely, voting and activism—also do not reflect the purported magnitude of their concerns. There are few issues that Americans agree so decisively on, like they do data privacy. And this should indicate that—in a rational world—Congress would pursue pro-privacy protections to address voters’ concerns. But this is not the case, and Americans have not challenged this reality. Here, the disconnect grows further. Even though data privacy is a standalone policy area—and thus separate from the economy and immigration—all three overlap greatly. It would behoove Americans to recognize these intersections. | >
> | For example, while most Americans contend that they “won’t do business with a company if they have concerns about its security practices,”11 a majority voted for Donald Trump, a man known to skirt security protocols(12) and whose data security practices have faced intense scrutiny.(13) Americans seem content to compromise on data privacy, even though polling and statistics reveal that many are concerned about the issue.(14) More people should ask themselves why they refuse to act; why they are willing to concede without contest. Perhaps the answer is one of priorities, and data privacy simply ranks low. | | | | |
>
> | To be generous, some voters last cycle maybe did not understand the full implications of their vote. But Americans who prioritize the economy over humanitarian causes—as technology and data are being used to target vulnerable populations—have informed the culture. A society’s actions reflect its values and priorities, as does its inaction. People should consider in earnest the impact of their actions and the motivations that inspired them. Often, apathy is a choice. It may not be the universal first choice—it may not even be an easy choice—but it is a choice. Americans disinterested in protecting themselves and others have made a choice. | | | | |
<
< | The Effects of Apathy on Knowledge
Looking forward, attacks on data privacy—as well as the misuse of people’s data—are imminent. The Trump administration is pursuing a host of anti-privacy measures that compromise the security and welfare of the American people. The effects of poor data privacy protection will be damning, at both the individual and societal levels. As the agenda of the current administration seeks to compromise people’s access to information—and as few institutional actors have yet succeeded in stopping it—the implications are dangerous. | | | | |
<
< | Current data policies seek to attack the vulnerable, to expose and even punish those with whom the administration disagrees. The fear this can breed—demonstrated well on college campuses, at the border, and in immigration-related proceedings—jeopardizes how much and what exactly people are willing or able to share. The effects of this may be short-lived, or they may extend well into the future. The apathy of American voters must be addressed—not in the non-voting sense, but in how Americans classify their priorities. | >
> | Conclusion
Looking forward, attacks on data privacy appear imminent.(15) Current policies seek to attack the vulnerable, to expose and even punish those with whom the administration disagrees. The fear this can breed—demonstrated well on college campuses(16) and at the border(17)—jeopardizes how much and what exactly people are willing or able to share. This process and its result will alter the culture; it will cement what we value and how much. These effects may be short-lived, or they may extend well into the future. The apathy of American voters must be addressed—not just in the non-voting sense, but in how Americans classify their priorities. Much like apathy is a choice, so too is learning from past mistakes and rectifying the damage. | | | | |
<
< |
There are many very interesting ideas in this essay. I think the most important route to improvement would be to give the reader some access to the sources of your thinking, by placing yourself in relation to the writing of others. You have obviously been reading, but we have no access to what you have been reading, or ways to follow your interaction with the sources that have shaped your views. That's apathy too, of a kind.
| >
> | ***STILL EDITING SOURCES! THANK YOU! | | | | |
>
> |
- https://epic.org/issues/privacy-laws/united-states/
- http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/rightofprivacy.html
- https://pro.bloomberglaw.com/insights/privacy/state-privacy-legislation-tracker/#:~:text=are%20detailed%20below.-,California,Privacy%20Rights%20Act%20(CPRA)
- https://actonline.org/2024/10/24/pre-election-survey-shows-strong-support-for-a-national-data-privacy-law-other-small-business-priorities/
- https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/12/22/insufficient-data-privacy-legislation-is-costing-companies-three-ways-businesses-are-suffering/
- https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4964626-apathy-myth-voting-barriers/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/nbc-news-exit-poll-voters-express-concern-democracy-economy-rcna178602; https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-pores-top-five-election-takeaways
-
| | |
You are entitled to restrict access to your paper if you want to. But we all derive immense benefit from reading one another's work, and I hope you won't feel the need unless the subject matter is personal and its disclosure would be harmful or undesirable. |
|
|
ShannonGeogheganFirstPaper 2 - 03 May 2025 - Main.EbenMoglen
|
| |
| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper" |
|---|
| |
<
< | It is strongly recommended that you include your outline in the body of your essay by using the outline as section titles. The headings below are there to remind you how section and subsection titles are formatted. | | | The Impact of Apathy on the Future of Knowledge | | | Current data policies seek to attack the vulnerable, to expose and even punish those with whom the administration disagrees. The fear this can breed—demonstrated well on college campuses, at the border, and in immigration-related proceedings—jeopardizes how much and what exactly people are willing or able to share. The effects of this may be short-lived, or they may extend well into the future. The apathy of American voters must be addressed—not in the non-voting sense, but in how Americans classify their priorities. | |
>
> |
There are many very interesting ideas in this essay. I think the most important route to improvement would be to give the reader some access to the sources of your thinking, by placing yourself in relation to the writing of others. You have obviously been reading, but we have no access to what you have been reading, or ways to follow your interaction with the sources that have shaped your views. That's apathy too, of a kind.
| | |
You are entitled to restrict access to your paper if you want to. But we all derive immense benefit from reading one another's work, and I hope you won't feel the need unless the subject matter is personal and its disclosure would be harmful or undesirable. |
|
|
ShannonGeogheganFirstPaper 1 - 27 Mar 2025 - Main.ShannonGeoghegan
|
|
>
> |
| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper" |
|---|
It is strongly recommended that you include your outline in the body of your essay by using the outline as section titles. The headings below are there to remind you how section and subsection titles are formatted.
The Impact of Apathy on the Future of Knowledge
-- By ShannonGeoghegan - 27 Mar 2025
Introduction
In the United States, modern data privacy law derives from statutes. The Constitution provides no comprehensive right to data privacy, and the result is a “patchwork approach to privacy.” According to recent studies, Americans care about these laws—or at least they claim to care about them. In truth, the divergence between how much Americans care about data privacy, how greatly the issue affects their voting habits, and how much privacy they are content to concede is enormous.
The implications of poor privacy protections are equally enormous. Not only does weak data privacy correlate with cybercrime, data breaches, and fraud, there are other, more pervasive and analytical implications as well. Poor data privacy may decrease people’s access to knowledge and/or compromise the quality of existing knowledge. To prevent the worst effects of these depravations, data privacy advocates should address the issue of apathy.
Apathy and Data Privacy
The world of data privacy has not escaped the deep partisan divides of modern American politics. Where blue states have “emphasize[d] consumer rights and protections,” red states are “prioritize[ing] economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit.” Currently, questions of apathy in the electoral context center around the motivations of nonvoters. Scholars questions what are the motivations of those who do not participate in elections.. Others study why civic engagement is at a “near all-time low,” focusing on the effects of polarization on the electorate.
But apathy does not solely manifest in the act of non-voting. It manifests too in the disregard for the dignity of others, in the degradation of societal values and norms. When Americans prioritize certain policies—such as the economic promises made during the last general election —the result is a hierarchy of sorts. These divisions sanction the advancement of high ranking concerns at the expense of low ranking concerns. Exit polls from the 2024 election indicate that Americans were motivated principally by the economy and immigration, not data privacy. And while this is unsurprising given the national rhetoric—especially considering data privacy is not often a topic of national discourse — the data is concerning.
On the upside, most Americans have the awareness to not trust social media companies to protect their data, and most believe that the government should be doing more to protect it. Most Americans understand that their digital footprint is at risk, and most are concerned about how their data will be used. On paper, it appears as though Americans are highly concerned and educated about the privacy of their data. But in practice, Americans do not act with such concerns top of mind.
Ironically—while most Americans contend that they “won’t do business with a company if they have concerns about its security practices,” —a majority of Americans voted for Donald Trump, a man known to skirt security protocols and whose data security practices have faced intense and warranted scrutiny. The disconnect between what Americans think, how they act, and what they prioritize is unanswered for. In practice, Americans seem content to dismiss their privacy concerns.
For example, many Americans are “willing to trade some of their data for discounts by subscribing to newsletters…” And despite their concerns, Americans and their media engages in little to no national discourse on data privacy. Although Americans do not themselves make policy, their means for implementing change—namely, voting and activism—also do not reflect the purported magnitude of their concerns. There are few issues that Americans agree so decisively on, like they do data privacy. And this should indicate that—in a rational world—Congress would pursue pro-privacy protections to address voters’ concerns. But this is not the case, and Americans have not challenged this reality. Here, the disconnect grows further. Even though data privacy is a standalone policy area—and thus separate from the economy and immigration—all three overlap greatly. It would behoove Americans to recognize these intersections.
The Effects of Apathy on Knowledge
Looking forward, attacks on data privacy—as well as the misuse of people’s data—are imminent. The Trump administration is pursuing a host of anti-privacy measures that compromise the security and welfare of the American people. The effects of poor data privacy protection will be damning, at both the individual and societal levels. As the agenda of the current administration seeks to compromise people’s access to information—and as few institutional actors have yet succeeded in stopping it—the implications are dangerous.
Current data policies seek to attack the vulnerable, to expose and even punish those with whom the administration disagrees. The fear this can breed—demonstrated well on college campuses, at the border, and in immigration-related proceedings—jeopardizes how much and what exactly people are willing or able to share. The effects of this may be short-lived, or they may extend well into the future. The apathy of American voters must be addressed—not in the non-voting sense, but in how Americans classify their priorities.
You are entitled to restrict access to your paper if you want to. But we all derive immense benefit from reading one another's work, and I hope you won't feel the need unless the subject matter is personal and its disclosure would be harmful or undesirable.
To restrict access to your paper simply delete the "#" character on the next two lines:
Note: TWiki has strict formatting rules for preference declarations. Make sure you preserve the three spaces, asterisk, and extra space at the beginning of these lines. If you wish to give access to any other users simply add them to the comma separated ALLOWTOPICVIEW list. |
|
|
|
|
This site is powered by the TWiki collaboration platform.
All material on this collaboration platform is the property of the contributing authors.
All material marked as authored by Eben Moglen is available under the license terms CC-BY-SA version 4.
|
|