Our lives have become smarter and more ‘connected’ than ever before. In this era of entertainment, convenience, and social media, this very connectivity is now becoming the biggest threat to our privacy. OTT platforms, smart TVs, smartphones, smart cars, and even selfies posted on social media are now becoming a means of data theft and surveillance. Believe it or not, the everyday life of an ordinary person has also come under the purview of digital surveillance. Often, companies obtain consent knowingly or unknowingly because most users give their consent without reading the privacy policy. Digital Surveillance – Device or service selling companies keep an eye on everyday life
Lawsuit against OTT platforms Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Netflix in the US. It is alleged that the streaming platform monitored the activities of users, including children, and collected their information without explicit consent. Adopt these measures for security – Give only necessary permissions to any app. Do not give permissions like ‘Allow All’. – Always activate the microphone, camera, and location in ‘While Using’ mode. – Regularly review app permissions. Always use strong passwords and change them periodically. – Where possible, use ‘passkeys’ and multi-factor authentication. – Do not keep unnecessary apps and accounts logged in all the time in the car’s infotainment system. – Regularly update software. Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi auto-connect off.
