Chapter 5: Vignette and Case Study

Vignette: Sexting

1. Does sexting represent a form of expression that is protected by the First Amendment?

          For generation upon generation, young people and adults have been exchanging sexually suggestive and explicit letters, messages and other materials, so sexting shouldn't come as a big surprise. On the other hand, the ease with which photos and videos can be propagated is a concern. A photo shared between two people can quickly become a viral phenomenon. Well, here comes the so called The First Amendment stated the protection of American’s rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression.  But here’s the question, does sexting represent a form of expression that is protected by the First Amendment? I don’t think so. We have all the rights to express our very own selves, to speak out and voice out what our standing in the specific situation. But besides of having that right, we also have the responsibility to express it well in an educated manner. Sexting is truly a shame scandal which is clearly not represents a form of expression. Because I do believe that freedom of expression is a very consecrated act.

2. What can be done to protect people from the dangers of sexting while still safeguarding our First Amendment rights?

          In every actions we do, there is always a corresponding consequences comes to follow. For me, the better way to do to protect people from the dangers of sexting is to spread the knowledge of what is the general and concrete definition of freedom of expression. We cannot say that if we have the power and will, the freedom to express our self in any dishonorable manner its okay or it’s valid? No! Every individual must grasp the knowledge of what it truly the essence of freedom of expression. Individual must also be vigilant and responsible in taking some actions that might put her or him into the stage of shame. There are no such successful actions if the people itself didn’t cooperate to make it successful. When people know to distinguish the right and wrong regarding of how to express his or herself, there is no such thing as dilemma in safeguarding the First Amendment rights. A change always starts to one’s individual with willingness, and everyone follows.

Case Study # 3: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

1. Visit the EFF Web site at www.eff.org and develop a list of its current “hot” issues. Research one EFF issue that interests you, and write a brief paper summarizing EFF’s position. Discuss whether you support this position and why.

“Consumer Reports: Facebook privacy problems are on the rise”

The social network's history of privacy and security oversteps echo complaints from other digital rights advocates including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation that Facebook fixes issues only after it's forced into the spotlight or after authorities approach the social network. Consumer Reports released its annual report on Internet privacy and security Thursday, placing Facebook front and center. Issues covered by the influential consumer watchdog group included updates on data leaks, hacks, scams, and the like, while featuring a separate report focusing entirely on Facebook and how the social network deals with privacy, security and the very personal information. Users can also do more to protect their privacy and security on Facebook, Consumer Reports noted, and offered the following tips.

Think before you type. Even if you delete an account which takes Facebook about a month), some info can remain in Facebook’s computers for up to 90 days.

Regularly check your exposure. Each month, check out how your page looks to others. 

Review individual privacy settings if necessary. Protect basic information. Set the audience for profile items, such as your town or employer. And remember: Sharing info with “friends of friends” could expose it to tens of thousands.

Know what you can’t protect. Your name and profile picture are public. To protect your identity, don’t use a photo or use one that doesn’t show your face.

“Unpublic” your wall. Set the audience for all previous wall posts to just friends. 

Turn off Tag Suggest. If you’d rather not have Facebook automatically recognize your face in photos, disable that feature in your privacy settings. The information will be deleted.
Block apps and sites that snoop. Unless you intercede, friends can share personal information about you with apps. To block that, use controls to limit the info apps can see.

Keep wall posts from friends. You don’t have to share every wall post with every friend. You can also keep certain people from viewing specific items in your profile.

When all else fails, deactivate. When you deactivate your account, Facebook retains your profile data, but the account is made temporarily inaccessible. Deleting an account, on the other hand, makes it inaccessible to you forever.

It’s so hard to face this kind of problems, where you can do nothing but helpless. That’s why don’t just disregard any important matters when it comes to your personal and private data. Don’t just play and enjoy it as if nothing is threatening, be aware.

credits to: http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/consumer-reports-facebook-privacy-problems-are-rise-749990

2. What reasons might a firm give for joining and supporting EFF?

          As new aspects of society -- and whole new societies -- are built online, the EFF's mission is to protect that liberty. The payoff, if it succeeds, is tremendous. A huge but increase in economic prosperity and an incalculable dividend of personal freedom. It's like being an early stage investor in the business world. You want to get in on the ground floor, and leverage a relatively small investment into a big social success. If you want to change the world for the better, the EFF has been created at the exact right time in history and is working on the exact right pressure points to make those changes.

3. The vice president of public affairs for your midsized telecommunications equipment company has suggested that the firm donate $10,000 in equipment and services to EFF and become a corporate sponsor. The CFO has asked if you, the CIO, support this action. What would you say?

          For me, there is nothing wrong about donating a certain amount to EFF. It is because the EFF goal is to protect fundamental civil liberties relating to the use of technology, including free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights. They have been building a better community to every individual. So, why not give them some little support that some are willing to give. You’re not only helping the EFF to do their intended advocacy but you are also helping the people that might benefit from what you've been given.