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CivicWhitaker
CivicWhitaker
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Considering what happens when the public has a bad reaction to publicly released data done incorrectly, we should consider the ethics of publicizing open data.

For example, when a NY newspaper released a map of all the gun owners - a law was passed to un-open that data.

The voter file is public with everyone's name and address attached - but that's not well-known. If everyone in the country realized how easy it is to get all those names and addresses, I wonder what the reaction would be. My guess is not good.

I do think that there's a line where your actions should be public knowledge. For example, when I apply for a liquor license or when I lobby a city official. When I preform an action that affects the public space (opening up a bar or trying to influence the political process) - there should be an expectation that my actions orare public (with no expectation of privacy).

However, in the case of the original poster (I'm arrested, but not convicted) - I don't think that my mugshot, name and birthday should necessarily be open.

Considering what happens when the public has a bad reaction to publicly released data done incorrectly, we should consider the ethics of publicizing open data.

For example, when a NY newspaper released a map of all the gun owners - a law was passed to un-open that data.

The voter file is public with everyone's name and address attached - but that's not well-known. If everyone in the country realized how easy it is to get all those names and addresses, I wonder what the reaction would be. My guess is not good.

I do think that there's a line where your actions should be public knowledge. For example, when I apply for a liquor license or when I lobby a city official. When I preform an action that affects the public space (opening up a bar or trying to influence the political process) - there should be an expectation that my actions or public (with no expectation of privacy).

However, in the case of the original poster (I'm arrested, but not convicted) - I don't think that my mugshot, name and birthday should necessarily be open.

Considering what happens when the public has a bad reaction to publicly released data done incorrectly, we should consider the ethics of publicizing open data.

For example, when a NY newspaper released a map of all the gun owners - a law was passed to un-open that data.

The voter file is public with everyone's name and address attached - but that's not well-known. If everyone in the country realized how easy it is to get all those names and addresses, I wonder what the reaction would be. My guess is not good.

I do think that there's a line where your actions should be public knowledge. For example, when I apply for a liquor license or when I lobby a city official. When I preform an action that affects the public space (opening up a bar or trying to influence the political process) - there should be an expectation that my actions are public (with no expectation of privacy).

However, in the case of the original poster (I'm arrested, but not convicted) - I don't think that my mugshot, name and birthday should necessarily be open.

Source Link
CivicWhitaker
CivicWhitaker
  • 83
  • 8

Considering what happens when the public has a bad reaction to publicly released data done incorrectly, we should consider the ethics of publicizing open data.

For example, when a NY newspaper released a map of all the gun owners - a law was passed to un-open that data.

The voter file is public with everyone's name and address attached - but that's not well-known. If everyone in the country realized how easy it is to get all those names and addresses, I wonder what the reaction would be. My guess is not good.

I do think that there's a line where your actions should be public knowledge. For example, when I apply for a liquor license or when I lobby a city official. When I preform an action that affects the public space (opening up a bar or trying to influence the political process) - there should be an expectation that my actions or public (with no expectation of privacy).

However, in the case of the original poster (I'm arrested, but not convicted) - I don't think that my mugshot, name and birthday should necessarily be open.