Fraudulent transactions

Technology: Good Thing, Bad Thing?

These days it's trendy to discuss technology as if it were purely a bad thing. There are companies out there that invade our privacy and collect our personal data, but aren't open about it. Tools like personal assistants can record us without consent. 

These data breaches place the personal information of our customers at risk. Is it all negative? These same tools could make our lives simpler, from connecting doctors faster to data on patients to digital bus routes that make transportation more efficient and connecting doctors with patients quicker. 

Let's face it, the main point is this: Technology on its own isn't a good or a bad thing, it's the way it's utilized that's important.

The Pros and the Cons of collecting data

We have recently written about Big Tech collecting huge amounts healthcare data to create one platform that allows healthcare professionals to search for patients records. On one hand, it will provide healthcare providers with complete patient records that will lead to better individualized healthcare and improved outcomes. 

On the flip side, Big Tech could misuse the information without consent.

These types of discussions go beyond healthcare technologies. AI is now a element of our daily life. It has affected our social media feeds and our commutes to work by providing traffic suggestions and also analyzed our bank transactions to detect fraudulent transactions. 

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Concerns are raised about how AI could use the information they possess and what it can affect their users (e.g. facial recognition that could place us under surveillance virtually all the time). 

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AI could be a significant improvement to the lives of many people, including helping with communication and increasing food production as well as monitoring the wildlife.

Are the advantages of these technology more significant than their negative?

It's the way it's used that is important.

Technology is not necessarily bad or beneficial. Instead, it is the culture and way we use technology. VPNs are a good example. They can either protect your privacy or collect your personal information based on the VPN you choose to use. 

Technology that collects information can be utilized to improve your life with the right regulations. However, it is a question of whether there's a push for these regulations that holds groups who violate these regulations--and people's privacy--accountable.