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Dialogue: Privacy and mobiles

Welcome to this Dialogue on privacy.

About the subject issue: Privacy and mobiles

Technology is transforming the nature of communications and the way we communicate. This can be both liberating and exciting – no longer are we tethered to the desk phone or desktop; information can be created and shared instantly anywhere and anytime. At the same time, the greater political focus on tackling terrorism and other serious crime has led to greater efforts at harnessing technology for surveillance purposes, including communications technology. These twin trends throw up a range of inter-related complexities around privacy which this Dialogue seeks to explore.

Four different perspectives on the subject to stimulate discussion
We have collected four expert views on Privacy and Mobiles to inform and stimulate discussion. Click below to access each essay and then join the Dialogue by adding your comments.

 

Ian Walden
Challenging relationships for communications providers

Professor Ian Walden, Professor of Information and Communications, University of London

Ian describes the impact of new communications technology in transforming the nature of information which is available and the relationships providers have with various stakeholders... more

 

Claudia Kruse
A growing business risk

Claudia Kruse, Environment, Social and Governance analyst at JP Morgan.

Claudia explains why Privacy and Access are growing business risks for companies and investors... more



 

Simon Watkin
Protecting privacy and protecting the public

Simon Watkin, Office of Security and Counter Terrorism, Home Office.

Simon, formerly with for the UK Home Office’s Covert Investigation Policy Team and now with the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism, sets out how privacy has to be balanced against the interests of law enforcement and counter-terrorism...more


 

Stephen Deadman
Vodafone's point of view on privacy

Stephen Deadman, Executive Solicitor and Vodafone's Group Privacy Officer

Stephen responds to key questions raised in the other three essays and gives Vodafone's perspective... more



Stimulating the debate

We want to know how you think companies, governments and others should be responding. Here are some specific questions we would like your views on:

  • How far should companies be able to go to use information about you for commercial purposes such as targeting advertising?
  • Some commentators take the view that users do not really care about their privacy - look at how many people are prepared to publish intimate personal details on their Facebook page. Do you care if companies allow your personal information to be used to target advertising to your personal tastes and interests? How much control would you want to exercise, e.g. to consent, to opt out, to limit the types and amount of data, etc?
  • Should we co-operate with government authorities which make urgent requests for user data without proper procedures if the purpose is urgent enough, eg a terrorist threat? If so, what safeguards would you expect companies to adopt?
  • Should we accede to information requests from private firms such as copyright holders without requiring a court order, if we believe the request is legitimate, for example because we believe a user is engaged in piracy?. Or should we go in the other direction and fight such court orders in the interests of our users’ privacy?
  • What do we need to do to educate customers about privacy risks?

Current dialogue

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Privacy and Mobiles