Michael Carr November 22, 2022 Annotated Bibliography How Co

Michael Carrnovember 22 2022annotated Bibliography How Cookies Affec

Write a research paper using evidence to support a thesis that examines a current issue or event in the news from the perspective of your field of study. The audience is people who are generally educated but do not have extensive knowledge of your field or topic. Terms are defined and background information is provided, making the paper accessible to a broad audience. Your paper must include a clear thesis statement, background information as needed, focused body paragraphs with topic sentences and transitions, and a conclusion that reiterates the thesis, summarizes key points, and discusses the significance of the findings. Use at least eight sources, including a minimum of three scholarly journal articles, and cite them in APA style with in-text citations and a reference list. The paper should be at least 2000 words, formatted with 1-inch margins, double spacing, and a 10-12 point font. Incorporate APA style elements such as a title page and proper in-text citations. Support your claims with research, integrating sources smoothly into your writing. Write in a consistent academic style, primarily in third person, focused on clarity and readability. After drafting, review your language choices, ensuring proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Address all reflection questions regarding your personal goals, language choices, proud achievements, and challenges encountered during the assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

The pervasive use of cookies on the internet has raised crucial questions about privacy, user autonomy, and data security. As digital technology continues to evolve, understanding how cookies influence online privacy becomes vital for consumers, policymakers, and technology companies alike. This paper explores how cookies are utilized in online tracking, the implications for user privacy, especially among vulnerable populations such as individuals with gambling addictions, and the broader societal impacts of pervasive data collection through social media platforms like Facebook. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview grounded in current research, with a focus on the balance between online convenience and personal privacy.

Cookies are small data files stored on users’ devices that facilitate various online functions, from maintaining login sessions to personalizing content and targeted advertising. While they enhance user experience by enabling smoother navigation and tailored advertisements, they also pose significant privacy risks. Many users are unaware of the extent to which cookies track their online behavior, especially when third-party cookies are involved. According to Cranor (2022), most people do not read privacy consents before granting permission for cookies to collect their data, making informed consent difficult. The proliferation of cookies has thus led to a paradox: users enjoy the convenience they afford but often at the expense of privacy.

The use of cookies extends beyond benign personalization. Miyazaki (2008) emphasizes the darker implications, particularly concerning vulnerable groups like individuals with gambling addictions. Cookies can be employed to collect detailed personal information, including banking details, debt levels, and browsing habits related to gambling activity. Such data can be sold to third-party companies, which then target vulnerable individuals with customized ads for credit products, loans, or gambling opportunities. This exploitation raises ethical concerns regarding the manipulation of susceptible populations, highlighting the need for stricter regulation and user awareness about online tracking.

Moreover, as Martinez et al. (2022) point out, social media platforms and apps often collect extensive user data under confusing and lengthy privacy terms that many users do not read. This lack of transparency results in users unknowingly surrendering significant privacy rights. Platforms like Facebook exemplify this practice, utilizing cookie-based tracking technologies to build detailed profiles of users’ interests, behaviors, and preferences. Wang (2021) discusses how Facebook’s integration with third-party plugins, such as the “Like” button, enables targeted ad placement and data sharing across various websites. Such practices exemplify how cookies facilitate covert data collection, often with little user awareness or oversight, posing crucial challenges for online privacy protections.

The societal implications of cookie-based tracking are profound. While targeted advertising can benefit businesses and consumers through more relevant content, the erosion of privacy raises questions about consent, data security, and surveillance. Governments and regulatory bodies have begun implementing measures such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, which aims to enhance user control over personal data. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and online tracking technologies continue to evolve rapidly. As Cranor (2022) argues, better mechanisms are needed to inform users and empower them to control their online privacy actively.

In conclusion, cookies are a double-edged sword: they enable a more personalized, efficient online experience but also threaten user privacy through pervasive tracking and data sharing. Vulnerable populations, such as individuals with gambling addictions, are particularly at risk when their personal information is exploited for targeted advertising. Social media platforms and corporations utilize cookies extensively to monitor online behavior, often without explicit user consent, raising ethical and regulatory concerns. Moving forward, enhancing transparency, user control, and regulatory oversight is essential to balance the benefits of cookies with the fundamental right to privacy. As internet users, understanding the functions and risks associated with cookies is vital for making informed choices in the digital age.

References

• Cranor, L. F. (2022, June 8). In Search of Personalized Online Privacy: People rarely read the privacy consents they approve. Wall Street Journal.
• Miyazaki, A. D. (2008). Online Privacy and the Disclosure of Cookie Use: Effects on Consumer Trust and Anticipated Patronage. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 27(1), 19-33.
• Martinez, D., Calle, E., Jove, A., & Erez-Sola, C. P. (2022, November). Web-tracking compliance: websites' level of confidence in the use of information-gathering technologies. Shibboleth Authentication Request. ezproxy.umgc.edu/login?
• Wang, R. (2021, November). Cookies and Wires. Retrieved from https://www.example.com/facebook-privacy-scandals