Information and communications technologies and the threat to privacy of Internet users

The collection of personal data in cyberspace is an invasion of personal privacy. Data collection technologies which include data mining and behavioural tracking technologies are used by Internet service providers (ISPs) and electronic commerce (e-commerce) businesses to track the digital footprints of Internet users. Personal data is collected for legitimate purposes to provide goods and services. The economic benefit from the use of such technology has increased the collection of vast amounts of personal information. There are those that harvest personal data without the knowledge or consent of Internet users. The tracking of the digital footprints of Internet users is a form of surveillance. ISPs and e-businesses engage in 'online behavioural advertising' (OBA) and sentiment analysis. OBA and sentiment analysis benefits users as it assists e-commerce and mobile commerce (m-commerce) businesses in tailoring advertisements based on previous interactions with a web visitor making it cost efficient while others compare its use to the "postal service steaming open your letters" to scan content, work out your interests, and then deliver a better class of junk mail. Such activities have profound implications for online information privacy and pose special risks to individuals. Data breach occurs when personal information held by an organisation is lost or subjected to unauthorised access, modification, disclosure, or other misuse or interference. Data breaches and hacking contribute to cybercrimes. This paper examines the use of OBA, sentiment analysis, and behaviour-tracking ad system and the implications of such technologies on the privacy of Internet users. It does not discuss the issue of cybercrimes. It recommends strategies to minimise the risks to personal data and the protection of information privacy in cyberspace.