Privacy and surveillance. Communications & Media Research Paper

Always Online Culture
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Always Online Culture
The art of online presence involves ways by which people or companies attract attention and announce their presence on online platforms. The internet is awash with myriad information that ranges from advertisements to books, articles, images, and videos. With the digital platform becoming the primary source of communication, more people are expected to embrace it not only for communication but also as a source of information.
Several authors have shared their opinions about the topic. The article “The Voting-Sticker Thirst Trap is Here” by Taylor Lorenz presents one way of announcing online presence. According to the author, using a picture that makes one spend a little longer time to see or click on it helps communicate the message. There is a need to understand the needs and interests of the target audience to be successful in capturing their attention. The use of a thirst strap to attract the attention of older people may not succeed. Therefore, understanding the needs and interests of the target population calls for surveillance. This procedure is what Antonio Casili discuss in his article titled “Four Theses on Digital Mass Surveillance and the Negotiation of Privacy.” Companies interested in understanding their target market engage in mass surveillance through various approaches, among them being direct engagement with the target groups and negotiating their privacy.
Institutions are using offers to get private information from needy individuals online. Mark Andrejevic holds the same view in his article entitled “The Work of Being Watched: Interactive Media and the Exploitation of Self-Disclosure.” In the report, Andrejevic warns that individuals who allow corporations to use collect their private data i...