Cloud Based Data Storage

Ch. 7 Ethics & Issues 7-3 p. 369

Is data stored in the cloud free from prying eyes? No, data in the cloud is too easily intercepted or shared because there is no absolute way to prove that another individual or company would not be able to access the information. This article by TechRadar http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/data-privacy-how-safe-is-your-data-in-the-cloud--1170332#null , asked some excellent questions that each individual should ask himself before storing data in the cloud. First, how important is privacy with the data? Does it matter if a company uses your data to market things to you? Second, how reliable do you believe the service to be that has your data? It is important to remember that business do fail or stop providing services. Third, what about data encryption? If your data was hacked into by an unknown party, would that cause you distress? Fourth, how continuous is the service? What would happen if the company didn’t allow you access to your data? Fifth, how well does your internet connection perform? Will you able to access your data when you need to if for some reason your internet connection failed? Sixth, how important is copyright? If you upload a photo, video, or written document and these are shared without your permission, how would these resources be protected from dissemination to others without your consent? If these questions do not give you pause, then using cloud storage is a good choice.

Should data kept in the cloud be treated the same way legally as items that are kept in one’s home? Why? Yes, the items in the cloud are still data that you have created and should not be accessed by others without your permission or a warrant from a government official that makes you aware of their access of your data.

Should the government be able to access your data in the cloud without your knowledge or permission? Why or why not? The government shouldn’t have access to your data without your knowledge, however even using social media and having “private” settings, someone should screen shot something you said and share it without your consent with anyone they wanted to. If the content is digital someone somewhere could access it. This Computer World article ( http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9241553/No_your_data_isn_t_secure_in_the_cloud ) said it well “if you're a consumer and you're storing photos, videos, digital music or innocuous documents on a cloud storage service, you may not mind that a hacker or the government gets access to your files.”

What types and amount of personal data are you comfortable storing in the cloud? Why? I am only willing to store digitally - on the cloud or on a computer - those innocuous things that if the government, a family member, friend, or boss saw them it would not have a negative effect. I am even more picky with cloud based data because I know how easy it is to share digital data and once it is shared, it can never be taken back.