Hidden online surveillance: What librarians should know to protect their privacy and that of their patrons

Authors

Alexandre Fortier
Jacquelyn Burkell, The University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Volume

32

Issue

3

Journal

Journal of Information Technology and Libraries

First Page

59

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.6017/ital.v34i3.5495

Last Page

72

Abstract

Librarians have a professional responsibility to protect the right to access information free from surveillance. This right is at risk from a new and increasing threat: the collection and use of non-personally identifying information such as IP addresses through online behavioral tracking. This paper provides an overview of behavioral tracking, identifying the risks and benefits, describes the mechanisms used to track this information, and offers strategies that can be used to identify and limit behavioral tracking. We argue that this knowledge is critical for librarians in two interconnected ways. First, librarians should be evaluating recommended websites with respect to behavioral tracking practices to help protect patron privacy; second, they should be providing digital literacy education about behavioral tracking to empower patrons to protect their own privacy online.

Notes

Originally published in the Journal of Information Technology and Libraries.

http://dx.doi.org/10.6017/ital.v34i3.5495

Citation of this paper:

Fortier, A. and Burkell, J. (2015) Hidden online surveillance: What librarians should know to protect their privacy and that of their patrons. Information Technology and Libraries, 32(3), 59-72.