3 Scary Reasons Why Data Privacy Will Not Exist In The Next 5 Years

The world today revolves solely around technology, where pen and paper are nearly extinct. Our society is dependent on high speed Internet to send out private emails, bank transactions, and other personal data. Everything is offered to us with one click of a button. The vast development of technology is truly a blessing, revolutionary and most importantly convenient. But did you ever wonder what happens to the private information you input in your computers or on your phones? What about the bank account details you used to purchase your new shoes last week, online? As scary as it may sound, those personal data might not be as well protected as you think it should be. Here are 3 scary reasons why there will be no sense of privacy in the next 5 years.

1. The Government Can Hack Into Your Devices

You’ve probably heard about Apple and the FBI’s long argument on the San Bernadino iPhone case. You might also be aware that the FBI has already hacked into the iPhone that was used in the San Bernadino shooting, no thanks to Apple! To add to that, in a recent report—the FBI will be unlocking another iPhone in Arkansas. It’s easing to know that we’re all going to be safe from perpetrators, but who’s going to protect us from the government?

Now that the FBI has figured out a way to hack mobile devices without the manufacturer’s help, who knows what else they can do with this knowledge or what they’ll use these information for? Although their main purpose for hacking these devices is to protect us from criminal activities, it’s still scary to know that there is a possibility that you’re being watched. The government can easily hack into your mobile device and discover all your secrets, your personal information, and even your family background.

2. Your iPhone Knows Where You Have Been

If you like to read iPhone article hacks such as “12 Things You Didn’t Know Your iPhone Can Do”, then you probably discovered cool tips and tricks that make your life a little more convenient. But there’s another hidden function that might’ve not been mentioned in those articles—the ability of your iPhone to know your exact location, at the exact time.

According to Apple, they designed the iPhone to trace your locations “in order to learn places that are significant to you”. They said that the data is stored locally in your phone and cannot be accessed anywhere else.

Although this feature can be turned off manually, why would Apple have this kind of ability hidden on your phone? And even if you’ve turned the setting off, Apple still has a record of where you went with the exact time and location. Now, you're probably thinking twice before going to your favorite coffee place without being a little paranoid as to who knows you're there.

3. Google Knows Everything About You

Auto saved passwords are convenient for us when we try to log in to a website, our emails and social media channels. It’s truly convenient, especially for forgetful persons. But we want you to try something now. Go to your Google browser, and then log in with your username and password, and now wait for those annoying banner advertisements that pop up at the side of your screen. Do you notice something strange? Try to understand these ads. Does it relate to you somehow? Does these banner ads show some relation on what you have searched previously? You’re answer is probably yes, and now you want to know why that is.

Google knows everything it needs to know about you. It records your data entry every time you use your browser or your Google account. The startling thing is that we forget that all this information a being stored in one central place forever. According to Washington Post, “When you compile all those thousands of disparate e-mails and searches and directions over time, which Google does, you end up with something far more intimate, something not too far removed from a detailed portrait of your life and interests.”

We love Google, don’t get us wrong, but the mere fact that it’s storing all our data just gives us the creeps. So once you search for something interesting or as simple as a cat video on Google, don’t forget that it's also searching you.