Don’t be private?

The issue of online privacy, or lack of it, has been a hot topic the past few days as the week started with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg declaring that people no longer see privacy as a “social norm”. Arguing the rapid rise in social media has seen people become more and more at ease with sharing personal information, and Zuckerberg states that companies like Facebook need to respond to these changes in online behavior to stay competitive.

Watch the entire interview hosted by TechCrunch’s Mike Arrington here : http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/3848950

However, the major story this week has been Google v China over the issues of user privacy, cyber attacks and the Great Firewall of China resulting in Google’s likely exit from the Chinese market. Our old friends at VeriSign’s iDefense have indicated they “believe the attack is the work of actors operating on behalf of or in the direct employ of official intelligence entities of the People’s Republic of China”, which could have serious ramifications both politically and for the search engine space.

While Google may be basking in glory over this move to “not be evil”, and Zuckerberg’s comments have been met with some cynicism over whether Facebook, incidentally blocked in China, is reflecting social change or (with 350 million users) driving it. Both acts raise interesting discussions over online privacy and what it means in an increasingly connected world, who do you trust? Let us know your thoughts below!

1 Comment January 14, 2010