There is apparent helplessness and frustration gripping the netizen. The surreptitious invasion of privacy via social media has a disconcerting impact. Ever since the mass use of media technology, life has changed upside down.

The physical contacts, socialising and emotional factors in face to face meetings were once highlights of community life which once steered a symbiotic and coherent society, now finds itself in limbo. Before realisation struck, we have embraced the burgeoning arms of a monster. We grope for an answer as to how to rid ourselves from the tightening grip of the ever-expanding social media of WhatsApp, FB, Tweet, Instagram etc.on our private life, personal data and confidentiality.

All information about the self is up for grab in the public domain for a price. How did it happen? Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger (not to enlist the global retailers in Amazon, Flipkart) are a new age social media that made us ‘wake up and sleep’ as they wish.

They surreptitiously use our innocuous openness and display on the Facebook page. Our personal and family information are shared by third parties and across the globe without our knowledge, let alone minimum permission, even promoting access to information about friends which could lead the public to have incorrect beliefs about them. We are fooled by the terms and conditions pages flashed to us on the small screen of the mobile phone at the first time of registration, be it social media or cell phones to sign up with ” I agree” press button. How many of us have read through these T & C before pressing that monster button, I wonder! The T & C are so long, tedious and in nano print that we are not used to in the normal dispensation.

There are no two opinions about it. The hardest nut, crafty and one up the class in the political landscape is also in the bandwagon and brooding over sharing the most precious secrets of their own. Is somebody listening when we are on the phone or do we too often withhold information for the sake of safety? Intellectuals and liberals too have raised alarm about fast shrinkage of the personal space and even precious time.

They have given a clarion call and championed the cause of right to privacy. The even ordinary mortal feels bearish at the dwindling personal space. A lot has been said about bringing legislation by the Government urgently to protect personal data and privacy. The Constitution of India envisages the right to privacy. It is another matter and another story to write whether privacy is absolute or relative and how a balance of the two opposing schools of thought be achieved. The Internet culture that we have adapted has made us vulnerable to our ‘a la love affair’ with social media for unadulterated freedom and to take a flight on uncharted global space.

As a result of turning into human pawns, if you like, that we have become to those ‘behind the scene players’ to trade and do commerce with our assets. It’s time for netizen to wake up and unite for real against the menacing invasion of privacy.
Debabrata Deb