Redesigning or Redefining Privacy?. (31st October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moinipour, Shabnam; Troullinou, Pinelopi
• Is Part Of: Westminster papers in communication and culture. Volume 12:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2017-10-31
• Subjects: Privacy -- surveillance -- corporations -- democracy -- design -- the state; Mass media and culture -- Periodicals; Communication in politics -- Periodicals; 302.23
• DOI: 10.16997/wpcc.271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-6716

Abstract

Snowden's revelations of 2013 have shifted attention to societal implications of surveillance practices and in particular privacy. This editorial reflects on key concepts and research questions raised in the issue. How can privacy be defined? Can it be designed? Considering such developments, this editorial asks if the public's attitudes to the sharing of data have moved towards, 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' arguments and if greater awareness and corporate transparency are possible. Even if corporate surveillance does not operate through overt coercion, it is argued that it yet results in self-regulation and subjugation to neoliberal rationality. Since telecoms and social media companies generally work hand in hand with the state and legal and practical standpoints boundaries overlap on a great scale, how can privacy be safeguarded for citizens? And where 'accountability' of data holders, as interviewee Mark Andrejevic suggests, is a growing imperative. Contributions to this issue suggest detailed attention to legal frameworks, encryption practices, definitions of the surveilled subject and the history of such scrutiny may hold some of the answers.