Intro

Argument:
Should we abandon privacy online?

What is?
According to Merriam Webster:
1: connected to a computer, a computer network, or the Internet
2: done over the Internet

Full Definition of online

: connected to, served by, or available through a system and especially a
computer or telecommunications system (such as the Internet)
an online database
also : done while connected to such a system
online shopping
online games
online searching

The term "online" refers to being connected to a computer network. The

phrase "online conversation," which refers to chatting over a network, is an
example of online being used as an adverb. On the Internet or another
computer network, or done through one. Available via the Internet or as a
download. When an electronic device is on and connected to other devices,
such as another computer, a network, or a device like a printer, it is said to be
online. The phrase "online" has recently evolved to denote "connected to the
Internet."

What is privacy?
According to Oxford Languages:
1. the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by
other people.
2. he state of being free from public attention.

In simpler definition, privacy is the right to keep one's personal information.

Privacy is a fundamental right that is necessary for autonomy and the
preservation of human dignity, and it serves as the foundation for many other
human rights. Privacy allows us to set limits on who has access to our bodies,
places, and possessions, as well as our communications and information. On
the other hand, Privacy denotes the right to make certain fundamental
judgments on fundamentally personal matters without government force,
intimidation, or regulation, according to constitutional law. Privacy in the
common law refers to the right to be left alone. In this sense, isolation is
linked to privacy.

Introduction for Affirmative and Negative side of the argument:

Every day, the internet is used for a wide range of purposes. People are using
the internet to improve their lives in a variety of ways, from healthier meals to
shopping to pursuing an online degree. Are we willing to give up some privacy
in order to achieve these goals? In this analysis of the benefits and drawbacks
of internet privacy, there are a few crucial elements to consider in order to
assess whether or not restricting any of the information we share with others
is a good idea.

Affirmative side of the argument:

1. It protects those who may be vulnerable to exploitation.
Consider the average child who, with or without their parents' permission,
might use the internet. It becomes possible to protect such children from stuff
that is inappropriate for their age level by improving degrees of internet
privacy. People who would want to take advantage of them due to their age
would be unable to do so due to the privacy protections in place. This
advantage could also benefit other vulnerable groups, such as individuals with
developmental disabilities or mental illnesses.

2. It encourages the freedom of speech.

If there's one thing the internet excels at, it's creating a network of forums,
groups, and websites where almost any issue can be debated or discussed.
Despite the fact that these comments are open and transparent, people can
still discuss difficult matters despite only being an avatar's ISP number. When
people believe that their observations or recommendations will not be
evaluated by others, they are more willing to share. Because of the insight
that has been provided, we are all able to benefit something from that
sharing. Outside of the taboos of religion, politics, and other cultural or ethnic
"rules," you can post whatever you want on the internet today.

2. It encourages the freedom of the press. In the United States right now, six
primary companies control a vast majority of the traditional media resources
that people use for information every day. Six companies can potentially
control how most Americans think and feel about almost any subject. Internet
privacy allows for independent press that can cover stories in an alternative
way so that people can get the full story instead of just one side of it. In a
sense, everyone has a chance to find their own voice instead of having that
voice be dictated by others.
4. It encourages innovation.
In a world where people can learn about anything at any time, a new idea can
be immediately explored and evaluated to see if it has any potential value.
Anyone can use learning tools to become an inventor, an entrepreneur, or a
freelancer. Without internet privacy, these developments would be
constrained since anybody might view the material being accessed and steal
potentially lucrative ideas before they could be implemented. When there
isn't a cloud of judgment hanging over everything, an even playing field
emerges, with creativity always coming out on top.

5. It becomes easier to ignore bothersome information.

There are plenty of options for people to just shut out the bad influences that
are upsetting them, thanks to internet privacy rules that are available on most
sites. People can be unfollowed without even realizing it on social networking
sites, for example. It is possible to block certain news items. Alerts can be
made to notify people if there are any news stories worth their time. It's easy
to ignore annoying information that drags people down, and the experience
can be tailored.

6. It creates a system of checks and balances.

It doesn't take a conspiracy theorist to recognize that some people want
governments to become more involved in the daily lives of everyone on the
earth in a variety of ways. Internet privacy is a natural check and balance
against those people because it establishes a system in which power cannot
be misused, even if harsh remarks are made. The end outcome is a
harmonious mix of wants being supplied, freedoms being enjoyed, and power
being shared.

Outro for affirmative side of the argument:

The biggest advantage of internet privacy is that it allows people to remain
anonymous if they so desire. Some people's ISPs can identify them just by
logging into the internet, allowing them to track their online movements.
People can follow their own interests without fear of being prosecuted if
privacy protections are put in place, even if they are not breaching any laws.
There are a few more perks to consider when it comes to internet privacy.

Negative Sides of the argument:

1. It creates the ability to abuse others
Take a peek at any website's comments area. When people disagree with
what has been written, internet privacy practices allow people to be held
accountable for their comments. This "permits" people to become nastier and
intolerant of differing viewpoints. Because of how people may hide behind an
identity, harsh criticism is frequently left, and hostile or even threatening
behavior becomes increasingly difficult to monitor.

2. Source materials must be verified to be authentic.

Today, there is no trust on the internet, which is due in part to the lack of
internet privacy. Any internet information that is recognized as a "fact" must
be independently checked to ensure that it is accurate. There are a plethora of
websites that provide "fake news" and other incorrect material that is
frequently misconstrued as true. This is often done for a good chuckle, such as
with The Onion, but it is also done on purpose to propagate specific
propaganda.

3. It makes it difficult for people to get to know other people.

In essence, persons who have their internet privacy settings set to "high" can
live a parallel life. They can present themselves as one person to their
employer, family, and friends while never interacting with the person they are
online. This is especially difficult for jobless people because it may be
impossible to find someone or know for sure that they are the person they
appear to be based on the information they post about themselves online.

4. It is easier for people to assume the identity of someone else.

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world today, and it's
partly due to the current state of online privacy. Others may assume
someone's identity online in order to steal money or items from that person's
family or friends. Because there are so many people called Laura Brown or
John Smith in the world today, online privacy can sometimes lead to cases of
mistaken identification.

5. It stops businesses from being able to track you down.

Businesses use a technique known as "internet tracking" to hunt down
potential customers who have expressed an interest in their products or
services. If a prospect chooses not to acquire products or services for any
reason, this piece of code places advertisements in their line of sight. In many
ways, this means that a customer will continue to see the same adverts across
all websites until the company's funds run out or they weary of trying to
entice them back. All of this can be halted by internet privacy.

6. It allows people to play the role of a victim.

Internet privacy enables people to "harass" themselves online while making it
appear as if others are doing so. It's similar to self-harming, except instead of
inflicting agony on oneself through physical or emotional activities, it's done
digitally. According to Elizabeth Englander's research, about 10% of teenagers
do this on a daily basis. Half of people who harass themselves online in order
to play the victim may have episodes that extend for months.

Outro for Negative side of the argument:

The biggest downside of internet privacy is that it facilitates the theft of
others' intellectual property. Photographs and writing are the most common
examples of this today. To plagiarize someone's work, simply copy and paste
the content into a new box and publish it. For images, all that is required is to
save the image off the internet and re-post it. Because many websites are
anonymous, internet privacy protections might make it difficult to track down
people who are stealing. The following are some of the other drawbacks
associated with internet privacy.

Additional pros and cons video presentation:

https://youtu.be/P4xfCLGr4O8

Outro for Affirmative and Negative sides of the argument:

The affirmative and negatives of internet privacy have given us a system that
may have flaws, but also has some successes that we see every day. The
loveliest thing about the modern internet is that you can bake a Beef
Wellington or communicate your political opinions without jeopardizing how
others perceive you as a person.

Examples of major issues concerning online privacy:

Spying and Snooping
When you're online, you're tracked by a variety of trackers for a variety of
reasons. Trackers retain a record of your search history and use numerous
methods to track all of your online actions. This gives them a clear picture of
who you are and your interests, infringing on your online privacy and turning
you into public property. Most of the time, this tracking is used solely for
advertising purposes, allowing advertisers to target adverts based on your
preferences and interests. However, fraudsters may exploit this information
to carry out unlawful and illegal operations, putting your online presence at
risk.

Information Mishandling
Various websites on the internet require personal information in order to
access their services. These sites frequently use cookies to store and save your
personal information, which they then use for a variety of purposes. The
majority of the time, this data is not secured and is accessible to everybody.
This mismanagement of sensitive data might have catastrophic ramifications.
The present trend of e-banking and e-business portals has increased the
dangers of internet privacy. You are paving the path for robbers and making
yourself exposed to cybercriminals by publishing your bank details and
important files on the internet.

Location Tracking
The majority of internet users happily share their present location on social
media while also tagging friends and family members. Sharing your life events
with friends and family is exciting and interesting, but this information is not
limited to your intended audience. This identical information is saved on the
social media site you're using and remains there indefinitely, frequently
without your knowledge (though you may have given consent through a terms
and services agreement). Google Maps and other apps, including social media
apps, also ask for your location, and by turning it on, you're giving the world
first-hand information about where you are and what you're doing.

How to avoid them?

Use a VPN
There are other ways to secure your online privacy, but the most effective and
reliable method is to use a VPN. It's a technology that creates an encrypted
tunnel for all of your online activity, meaning it encrypts all data sent between
you and your host site and eliminates the possibility of snooping and spying. It
also gives you an anonymous IP address and masks your true identity,
concealing your geographic location and making your online life safer and
more secure.

There are both free and paid VPN services available. Some VPNs operate on a
limited scale and only cover a few countries, but others are worldwide and
cover the majority of the world.

Conduct Safe Browsing

Through your browser, hackers can easily follow your actions and gain access
to your computer. Updating your browser to the most recent version is highly
recommended. Use caution when visiting websites that seek for personal
information. You can alternatively use your browser's ad blocker and spend
more time reading privacy policies before providing your approval.
Keep Your System Up-to-Date
Keep your system up to date to avoid missing out on new features and
security updates. If manually applying updates is inconvenient, you may
always use programs to automate your software updates. Scan your system
on a regular basis, or better yet, keep your system's auto scan turned on.

Use Anti-Virus
A good anti-virus program will protect your device from spyware, viruses,
Trojans, and other forms of malware. You can also use a reputable anti-virus
program that will notify you if it detects a problem with your machine. Anti-
virus software is necessary since it allows you to receive real-time updates.

Adjust Your Settings on Social Media

Take advantage of the options that are available to you. Facebook and Google,
for example, usually give you the choice to opt out of some, if not all, of their
personalisation and tracking.

Video to be presented as an outro to the argument:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85mu9PLWCuI

Summary of the argument:

Privacy is fundamental to who we are as people, and it helps us define our
connections with others every day. It allows us to be ourselves without fear of
being judged, and it allows us to think freely without prejudice. It provides us
with sovereignty and the ability to live with dignity. For a variety of reasons,
online privacy is crucial. You don't want strangers to know about your
personal life, and it's difficult to know what personal information is collected
and by whom: data obtained by one company may be shared with another.
We have control over our data because of our privacy rights. You should have
control over your data if it is yours. Your data can only be used in ways that
you consent to, and you have access to any information about yourself,
according to your privacy rights. You would feel helpless if you didn't have this
control. It's just as important to have privacy in your digital spaces. We have
spaces to create, think, explore, and learn without the interference or
judgment of others when we use the internet.

References:
 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/online
 https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/
 https://brandongaille.com/12-internet-privacy-pros-and-cons/
 https://securitytoday.com/Articles/2019/09/03/3-Major-Internet-Privacy-
Issues-and-How-to-Avoid-Them.aspx?Page=1