“Understanding and Maintaining Your Privacy When Writing with Digital Technologies”

Kim argues that people need to shift their thinking from spatial privacy to information privacy by focusing on data, agency, and flow.

Data

Any type of action taken on a platform such as likes, comments, or shares will leave a trace, whether it is intentional or not. Our past behaviours may be used by algorithms to decide what to feed us.

Agency

As I explained, this refers to the ability to produce an effect through action—meaning the data you provide can influence or control you depending on how others use it. Many times, people give this kind of control through accidental consent.

Flow

Flow encompasses the nature of the data received, its recipients, and the circumstances of its distribution. According to Kim, flow becomes problematic when data circulates beyond what individuals can reasonably anticipate.

The Impact

Since data often operates invisibly, writers may not recognize that the information they share is being gathered through processes like exposure and profiling. Therefore, writers need to be more mindful of their digital footprint.

When algorithms filter what you see based on past behavior, they shape your present and future work—your ideas, research, and writing—within those constraints.

Interestingly, Kim also argues that algorithmic systems can embed aspects of a person’s identity, such as race and gender. Over time, these systems may restrict digital responses to reflect only marginalized perspectives.

Maintaining Privacy

One should always check their default settings. Learn about how platforms collect their data. Use tools that protect your privacy. When sharing any type of work, be mindful of what you share, how much you share, and where you are sharing it. Privacy in this digital age is becoming less and less vital. People are more focused on speed and appeal. By focusing on agency, flow, and data, we can reclaim control of our digital lives.