Social Media, Technology and Privacy during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Uncertainty and change are two main contestants in life. However, with both comes “fear”. Fear of the unknown, fear of the different, fear of obsolescence, fear of the new and fear of the uncomfortable. These are some of the fears the authors of this editorial are familiar with. With the invasion of the Covid-19 pandemic, governments, organizations and individuals changed their mode of operations. A heavy reliance on technology and social media developed and thus fears of security and privacy escalated. This article discusses the impacts of social media and technology on privacy during the Covid-19 pandemic. The article looks at the evolution of social media and its trajectory from its humble beginnings to its current worldwide influencing authority. This will be achieved by addressing the impact social media is having on major aspects of human life. The paper will additionally have a brief look at the evolution of technology in general and the technologies utilized in social media in particular. The paper will deliver a brief overview of privacy in the world from different perspectives. the changing needs related to security and privacy and how technology supported those changing needs followed by the authors’ own opinions and conclusions.