Privacy and the Web

Michael J. QuinnSeattle University

May 24, 2010

Privacy and the Web

Michael J. QuinnSeattle University

May 24, 2010

“You have zero privacy anyway.Get over it.”

Scott McNealyCEO of Sun Microsystems

January 25, 1999

www.netcharles.com/orwell

www.gawker.com/stalker

Global Village

• Marshall McLuhan, The Gutenberg Galaxy (1962)

• Electronic media collective identity• World takes on village-like mindset• No privacy for celebrities

Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales

But Wait! Web 2.0

• Web not simply a distribution medium• Applications allow users to contribute content

– Blogs– Wikis– Social networks

“Star Wars Kid”

Web: “Bus Uncle”

Case

Benjamin attends a private birthday party for his good friend Benjamin attends a private birthday party for his good friend Chris, a member of the Orange Party. Someone gives Chris a Chris, a member of the Orange Party. Someone gives Chris a Yellow Party T-shirt as a gag gift, and Chris puts it on. Yellow Party T-shirt as a gag gift, and Chris puts it on. Benjamin takes a picture of Chris wearing the T-shirt and Benjamin takes a picture of Chris wearing the T-shirt and posts it on his blog, identifying Chris and explaining the posts it on his blog, identifying Chris and explaining the context of the photo. When Chris runs for governor, context of the photo. When Chris runs for governor, organizations supporting his opponent in the Orange Party organizations supporting his opponent in the Orange Party primary post the photo out of context, along with stories primary post the photo out of context, along with stories claiming he used to belong to the Yellow Party. In the end, claiming he used to belong to the Yellow Party. In the end, Chris wins the primary and is elected governor.Chris wins the primary and is elected governor.

Was Benjamin wrong to post the photo?Was Benjamin wrong to post the photo?

Several Important Ethical Theories

• “An action is wrong is someone is being used.”– Kantianism

• “An action is wrong is someone’s rights are being violated.”– Social contract theory

• “An action is wrong if its harmful results are greater than its beneficial results.”– Utilitarianism

Engineering at Seattle University

• Civil Engineering (102)– Environmental engineering option

• Electrical Engineering (74)– Computer engineering option

• Mechanical Engineering (73)• Computer Science (49)• Preengineering (39)

Quality Teaching

• All classes taught by faculty• Average class size: 20• Professors will know you by name• You will work hard• Employers like our graduates

Transfer Friendly• More than half of our engineering graduates started at

a community college• Merit scholarships for transfer students

– Messina Scholarship• 3.75 – 4.0 GPA• $12,000 / year

– Xavier Scholarship• 3.5 – 3.74 GPA• $10,000 / year

– Bannan Scholarship• Engineering and science majors• 3.5 – 4.0 GPA• $5,000 / year

Project Center Experience

• Year-long design project• Real problem of interest• Industry mentor + faculty advisor• Team experience

Projects Day

Some Recent Project Center Sponsors

• AREVA T&D• Bioalgene• Boeing• Cray• Herrera• Kenworth Trucks• PACCAR

• Philips Medical Systems• Puget Sound Energy• Seattle City Light• Seattle Public Utilities• Snohomish County• Tetra Tech• Tinnea & Associates

Extra-curricular Activities

Human-Powered Vehicle Team

Steel Bridge Team

Engineers Without Borders

Thailand

Engineers Without Borders

Jamaica

Engineers Without Borders

Zambia