The Privacy of Information 
Topic Summary
The increasing use of computers in virtually all aspects of our lives poses
a particular threat to our privacy. Privacy about who we are, what we are
doing and what our intentions are. Numerous databases, both public and
private, track different aspects of our lives. Where we work, what we buy,
where we travel, what we read, what we eat, what medications we take. One
objective of this lesson is to underscore the increased threat to our privacy
posed by computerized record keeping. This lesson also examines some of
the mechanisms, technical and non-technical, that could be used to mitigate
the loss of privacy. Furthermore, it addresses more fundamental questions
about when people should have expectations of privacy, whether there is
such a thing as a right to privacy, and
the economic cost of protecting individual privacy.
Required Reading
Chapter 2, Sections 2.1 - 2.8, A Gift of Fire.
National Coalition for Patient's
Rights
Information for sale