In a recent post about social graph (a process by which computers scour the internet to identify relationships among various account holders on web 2.0 sites like blogs and social network) Tim O’Reilly discusses the effect that this new technology will have on privacy. He thinks social graph will have a positive effect on net users. In his estimation, the data already exists on the internet. Social graph technology just makes it easier for anyone to connect the dots between your blog, your myspace account and your Facebook friends. Therefore, social graph will make people more aware of their vulnerability to privacy intrusion. He suspects that social graph will impel net users to modify their behavior such that they will advertise fewer of their unseemly acts or thoughts online.
I agree. I really think that the truth always emerges online. You can’t hide on the internet, be you a good or bad netizen. The good folks (most net users) will have to be more cognizant of their online activity as their social relationships become more visible. At the same time, the bad folks (those who seek to exploit the online activities of others) will have just as difficult a time hiding their nefarious work.
Transparency is a great thing.
