Google's WiFi Data Snooping

From LiteracyTentWiki

Subject: [PD 4842] Re: Social Networking, Online Collaboration, and Audio/Web Conferencing
From: Carole S. Totten
Date: Wed Jul 14 21:40:23 EDT 2010

Google and the word private should never be used in the same sentence. They are the worst privacy offenders ever. Read for the most recent example: http://www.pcworld.com/article/199508/google_under_multistate_privacy_microscope_how_we_got_here.html

We have a responsibility to our students to NOT contribute to the erosion of privacy going on all around us; consider carefully before involving your students in Google Docs/apps or gmail.

Carole S. Totten
Garnet Adult Basic Education Program
422 Dickinson Street, Charleston, WV

Subject: [PD 4845] Re: Social Networking, Online Collaboration, and Audio/Web Conferencing
From: Nell Eckersley
Date: Thu Jul 15 03:39:41 EDT 2010

Hi Carole and all,

Thanks for sharing the article on Google's WIFI data snooping. The abuses of privacy should certainly not be ignored and this article underscores how important it is to talk about privacy and safety when using web 2.0 tools as so much data is being shared in such a public space. However I'm not sure I think that a wholesale ban on the use of Google docs and gmail is the response I would choose. It seems to me that the article you linked to and other articles like it could be used as awareness raising tools and that learners and educators should discuss the issues around privacy and the internet in general as well a specifically to Google. Then people can make informed decision and use the right tools for the right purposes.

This also reminds me of the digital native and digital immigrant concept. For the digital native privacy can hold quite a different meaning than for a digital immigrant. The internet has been likened to the wild west by digital immigrants, where digital natives are often much more comfortable and secure using online tools. It is true that sometimes the comfort is due to a lack of awareness so class discussion is definitely an important part of bringing the web 2.0 tools into education.

Best,
Nell


Nell Eckersley
Literacy Assistance Center
http://www.lacnyc.org
Moderator, NIFL Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List

Subject: [PD 4846] Re: Social Networking, Online Collaboration, and Audio/Web Conferencing
From: Richard Sebastian
Date: Thu Jul 15 10:16:57 EDT 2010

Carole:

You bring up an important issue. Google may or may not be the "worst" exploiter of private data. Facebook has also been in the news lately for its disturbing privacy policies. One response to this could be, "Well, forget it. Using Google, Facebook, and these other social media tools isn't worth the risk to my privacy." I think this would be a mistake. Not because I don't value privacy, but because, like you say, we do have a responsibility to our students. We have a responsibility to not ignore or avoid these issues but to help prepare adults to be digitally literate citizens who fully understand the implications of participating in digital culture and can navigate these privacy issues themselves.


Richard Sebastian
Instructional Technology Specialist
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Subject: [PD 4850] Re: Social Networking, Online Collaboration, and Audio/Web Conf...
From: Debra Hargrove
Date: Thu Jul 15 10:35:08 EDT 2010

Hi Nell,

I also think it's important to include a strong foundation in Digital Etiquette when considering social media tools and privacy issues. Our colleagues in K-12 have a very focused curriculum on Digital Citizenship- Responsible digital behavior in a digital world. I am currently working with a team of teachers in Florida conducting this training across our state. While we all assume company's like Google should be thinking responsibly about how they offer/track/monitor any Google usage, I believe I'm ultimately responsible for my own actions online.

Have others been using the Digital Citizenship curriculum in their states/programs? I think it's already been mentioned, but just in case you lost the link: http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/

Best,

Deb Hargrove

Debra L. Hargrove, Ed. D.
Director, Florida TechNet
Indian River State College
AALPD Webmaster
Lithia, FL

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