When Does Innovation Become Invasive?

Written by Miguel Santiago

We appreciate the effortless connectivity that technology brings to our daily lives. Yet, should we consider that there’s a fine line between connectivity and privacy invasion? At what point does innovation stop being our ally and starts becoming a threat?

In our modern world, there’s a running joke that technology knows us better than we know ourselves. However, the punch-line loses its humour when considering how close this has become to reality. Data is the new currency, and corporations often collect, analyse, and utilise our data to enhance user experience. But how comfortable are our likes, dislikes, conversations, locations, and even our faces being monitored, stored, and possibly exploited without our explicit consent?

Additionally, biometric identification takes this potential invasion a step further. Many applaud the convenience of unlocking phones with faces or estimating fitness levels with smartwatches. Yet, isn’t this leading us to willingly share our most private information – our physical and biological attributes with entities whose intentions we cannot fully grasp?

Moreover, deepfakes, drone surveillance, and similar technologies further invoke fear about privacy violations and misuse of personal information. The potential repercussions range from personal defamation to international security threats.

Thus, the question we need to ask is, ‘When does innovation cross the line and…