It is Free and Always Will Be - Trading Personal Information and Privacy for the Convenience of Online Services

Abstract

Internet users today are constantly giving away their personal information and privacy through social media, tracking cookies, 'free' email, and single sign-on authentication in order to access convenient online services. Unfortunately, the elected officials who are supposed to be regulating these technologies often know less about informed consent and data ownership than the users themselves. This is why without changes, internet users may continue to be exploited by companies offering free and convenient online services.