In the Age of AI

     After watching the second half of the documentary “In the Age of AI,” I became aware of a lot of topics that aren’t usually discussed in our society. One of the main ideas highlighted in this documentary was that after companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter harvest our personal information, they are in possession of this information and can do whatever they want.

Most users of these big-name platforms are not aware of the legally binding agreements they make with these companies when they sign up to use the platform. When users sign for a popular social media site or search engine, they sign a legally binding contract of adhesion with that company. This contract of adhesion essentially allows the company to start data-mining information about your usage of the service and the specific things you search for or interest you. This data is then sold or analyzed to target you with ads about your specific interests. 

While looking into national security, people must understand that when they sign a company’s terms and conditions, they allow that company access to their data and personal information. In the past, we have seen massive data breaches where companies are hacked, and user information is openly accessible to hackers and the general public. This is extremely dangerous because the information that you probably didn’t even know that company had on you is now out in the world and leaves you vulnerable.

 The second issue of national security that arises is the fact that users often sign the rights of their information and content away to the platform they are using. Many platforms outline in their contract of adhesion that they own any data collected on you as well as the rights to any content posted to their platform. This becomes an issue of national security because that information can be sold to third-party companies without your consent or knowledge. After all, you permitted them to do so. This information can be purchased by components around the world and could potentially alter a US election or gain knowledge about people in the US. 

Identity theft has become an enormous issue in the United States, with hundreds of thousands of Americans affected yearly. With the rise of internet marketing and advertising information, identity theft has become commonplace around the United States. When companies collect your personal information data, the chances of identity theft drastically increase. Not only can your data be sold to companies that do protect it, but once you put your information out into the world, you can never get it back. Once a company or platform has your data, they essentially have total control of your information. They own the rights to your private data and then use that data as a tool of control.