Twitter: Protecting User Privacy Essay -- Twitter vs Government Survei

Social media has seen a significant number of stories that bring attention to failures in surveillance policies over the past decade. Time after time we hear about how surveillance technology is digging deeper and deeper into our personal information and is infringing on our rights more and more. It is important however to recognize successes in personal information protection and acknowledge achievements on behalf of the common population. As more and more attention is brought to surveillance the public is becoming better informed. As this trend progresses it is becoming more and more beneficial for social media companies to side with the individual and protect their user’s rights. Twitter is a social media company that has had success in protecting their users rights and working towards an open and transparent information environment. Between Twitter’s involvement with the Do Not Track program and their lawsuit against the United States Justice Department, the company models a successful social media surveillance strategy. In one of the articles I reviewed focused on how Edward Snowden, a United States citizen who leaked classified surveillance information, is a hero. The Edward Snowden case brought the issue of government surveillance to the forefront of American attention. This attention has put surveillance of all varieties under scrutiny from the American public. Some companies have adapted to this changing dynamic by opening up about surveillance policies and information. As the article from class argues, these efforts to provide more transparency about surveillance practices should be received in a positive light by the general population. Social Media sites, which cater to a variety of individuals, are especially interested in being perceived in a positive light by the general population. Practicing and striving for transparent practices and consumer protection are commendable efforts that the public will appreciate. Building a social media site around these efforts should be an effe ctive and profitable business strategy. (Cassidy) Twitter is presently suing the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice over surveillance transparency concerns. (Ortutay) Earlier this month Twitter filed a nineteen page complaint with the government agencies that listed the complaints the social media company ha... ...en to be an attractive feature for providers of online services to have. Of course all of this is just steps in the pursuit of freedom from surveillance. As Mr. Frank says; â€Å"Transparency alone may not be enough to restore public confidence, but it’s a great place to start.† (Neal) Works Cited Cassidy, John. "Why Edward Snowden Is a Hero - The New Yorker." The New Yorker. N.p., 10 June 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2014. . Hachman, Mark. "Twitter Joins 'Do Not Track' Initiative." PC Magazine (2012): 1. Business Source Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Nakashima, Ellen. "Twitter sues Justice Department over ability to disclose surveillance orders." Washington Post, The Aug. 0010: Business Source Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2014 Neal, Ryan. "Facebook, Microsoft Release Data On NSA Surveillance; Google, Twitter Demand Greater Transparency." International Business Times 15 June 2013: Business Source Premier. Web. 29 Nov. 2014. Ortutay, Barbara. "Twitter Sues FBI, DOJ To Release More Information On Government Surveillance Of Its Users." Canadian Press, The (n.d.): Business Source Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.