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by ashooner 3048 days ago
I'm not crazy about the current state of internet privacy, but I think it's a missed opportunity if we don't teach the general public just how much control they have over it. Most tracking being done can be prevented by a few modifications to web browser configuration. At the end of the day, we are sending Facebook our ID to be tracked. This is avoidable for a user with some knowledge and agency.
3 comments

I don't think the answer is to put the onus on users to be tech savvy. We should be structurally preventing the behaviour.
Why not both?

We can remind people that the internet is still a dangerous place, while also trying to discourage bad behaviour

By structural, you mean regulatory. I agree that data stewardship should be much better-regulated than it is now.

But right now I can install any number of tools on Google's own browser that mitigate most common tracking/privacy concerns. I don't necessarily agree that we need to increase government regulation to address a concern that a Chrome extension is already serving.

the answer to privacy violations cannot just be technological solutions on the consumer end. It's like having people break into your house every week and someone tells you to buy a good pair of boxing gloves.

This warrants a political solution and I'm glad that the EU is moving into the right direction.

While that should be taught, it should also be taught to companies that they should respect people's right to privacy.