Okay, so back in 1973 – way before we were all glued to our smartphones – some smart folks at the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) had a pretty insightful idea. They basically said that computers were going to become the main way we store and use information about people.

Think about that for a second. This was before the internet as we know it, before social media, before everyone had a personal computer in their pocket. Yet, they saw it coming. I mean, I wasn't even born yet! But they already foresaw how computers could become super powerful for managing and tracking data.

And, of course, they also understood the inherent risk. Privacy, security, and overall citizen rights can be greatly affected if this technology isn't properly regulated. This is the starting point for every discussion about privacy nowadays, even though it all started way before the technology we use today even existed.

However, as the years have passed, it seems like we haven't really figured out how to deal with these issues effectively. I mean, look at the constant data breaches, the targeted advertising, and the general feeling that you're being watched online. Aren't we supposed to be protected?

It seems a lot of people are worried about how companies are handling our personal info, and honestly, I'm right there with them. The internet is so deeply rooted in our lives that you can't simply decide not to use it anymore. You need it for everything. So, it's up to our lawmakers to establish new rules to keep our private information safe and guarantee our individual freedom.