I think many people don’t even ponder the impact their actions have on their privacy because they don’t know that they are offering data. We generate data in everything we do– where we work, which way we drive to the grocery store, how frequently we read– it’s just that now we have a medium that is very good at capturing them. For someone getting into web services now, it’s a lot like walking into a store that has surveillance but no “smile, you’re on camera” signs posted. It’s creepy when you find out they were watching you the whole time.

For better or worse, I will be surprised if we don’t see federal action in a few years requiring more explicit/standard disclosure for more web sites.

These books should be required reading for politicians, “teachers, mentors, and media,” especially during wartime.