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Reviews
I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy by Lori Andrews
debi_g's review against another edition
2.0
Informative? Yes.
Disturbing? Yes.
Solutions offered? Suggestions unlikely to take hold.
This is a quick skim with true scenarios that are likely to enrage readers. The final 50 pages are acknowledgements, citations, notes, and an index, so it really is a slim volume.
On a personal note, this book adds to my love and hatred for social media and other internet activites. I wish there were methods to assure true and utter privacy.
Disturbing? Yes.
Solutions offered? Suggestions unlikely to take hold.
This is a quick skim with true scenarios that are likely to enrage readers. The final 50 pages are acknowledgements, citations, notes, and an index, so it really is a slim volume.
On a personal note, this book adds to my love and hatred for social media and other internet activites. I wish there were methods to assure true and utter privacy.
provaprova's review against another edition
4.0
Remarkably thoroughly researched, with endless references and anecdotes, which is an achievement indeed for a topic as ephemeral and changing as social media. (I didn't think too much of its critical analysis or conclusions, but the rest more than made up for it.)
catbooking's review against another edition
2.0
This book felt a lot like a senior project expanded to the size of a book. From the wishy-washy handful of examples to the repeated insistence on a social network constitution.
I am used to these types of books following essentially the same formula: introduction of a problem, examples of the problem, explanation of how those problematic examples would be fixed by the proposed solution. This book had the first two sections pretty well covered, but the solution never really materialized. There was a lot of “we would have to figure out X” as if that is just some minor aspect of the problem and not the core of the problem. And a lot of the examples pointed out how the proposed solution would actually make the situation worse, rather than fix it.
I think if I had read a handful of articles on the topic of internet surveillance and how it can impact the real world, I would have felt less like my time was wasted.
I am used to these types of books following essentially the same formula: introduction of a problem, examples of the problem, explanation of how those problematic examples would be fixed by the proposed solution. This book had the first two sections pretty well covered, but the solution never really materialized. There was a lot of “we would have to figure out X” as if that is just some minor aspect of the problem and not the core of the problem. And a lot of the examples pointed out how the proposed solution would actually make the situation worse, rather than fix it.
I think if I had read a handful of articles on the topic of internet surveillance and how it can impact the real world, I would have felt less like my time was wasted.
misterfix's review against another edition
4.0
Frightening analysis of the manner in which online data, browsing patterns, social networks, etc are being exploited by governments and corporations. This book is a critical contribution to the ongoing debate about what constitutes privacy in today's digital age and clearly demonstrates that the proposal to create a Constitution for the web is sound and desperately needed.
lizardcha's review against another edition
4.0
I purchased this book on a whim & I'm glad I did. It lays out the problem of privacy on the web from different angles (work, relationships, law etc.) and backs up each scenario with real stories & events that have come to pass in the last few years related to internet privacy & rights. Andrews' puts forth the need for a Social Network Constitution.
While I did enjoy almost everything about this book, I did, however, feel a little underminded by the constant redirection back to her SNC argument with questions after every case. I feel that it's self explanitory within the context of the book once you read the first chapter. This may have been intentional if the target audience is people who aren't versed in the issues of internet security but to me, it made me feel as if I was reading a very informed high school paper.
What stopped me from giving this a lower star rating was the amount of support & facts Andrews' shared throughout.
TL:DR - I thought the voice of the book could have been less dumbed down but the stories & evidence out weighs my qualms making this both a thought provoking & necessary read forfor anyone who uses the internet daily, especially in the days of ACTA, SOPA & PIPA.
While I did enjoy almost everything about this book, I did, however, feel a little underminded by the constant redirection back to her SNC argument with questions after every case. I feel that it's self explanitory within the context of the book once you read the first chapter. This may have been intentional if the target audience is people who aren't versed in the issues of internet security but to me, it made me feel as if I was reading a very informed high school paper.
What stopped me from giving this a lower star rating was the amount of support & facts Andrews' shared throughout.
TL:DR - I thought the voice of the book could have been less dumbed down but the stories & evidence out weighs my qualms making this both a thought provoking & necessary read forfor anyone who uses the internet daily, especially in the days of ACTA, SOPA & PIPA.
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
5.0
This book is written by an attorney, which places it in the dry and wordy category. However, the information is important enough that it's worth the slog. I scanned much of it that doesn't apply to me, and am gladder than ever that I never joined Facebook and don't share much personal info on the internet. BUT -- "they" can collect info from your most private communications online. Even your e-mails, which we all tend to think are sacrosanct.
VERDICT: Every internet user needs to read this book, regardless of whether or not they belong to a social networking site. Yes, it's very thorough, with lots of densely packed small print. But you can easily skip-read the stuff that doesn't apply to you. Meanwhile, for the luvva Gordy, show some restraint in what you post online! ANYWHERE online. Exhibitionism seems to be an unfortunate outgrowth of internet access. Not only is it unseemly, it can come back to ruin your life. It can cost you your job, convict you of a crime you didn't commit, or make you lose custody of your child.
It really IS worse than you think.
VERDICT: Every internet user needs to read this book, regardless of whether or not they belong to a social networking site. Yes, it's very thorough, with lots of densely packed small print. But you can easily skip-read the stuff that doesn't apply to you. Meanwhile, for the luvva Gordy, show some restraint in what you post online! ANYWHERE online. Exhibitionism seems to be an unfortunate outgrowth of internet access. Not only is it unseemly, it can come back to ruin your life. It can cost you your job, convict you of a crime you didn't commit, or make you lose custody of your child.
It really IS worse than you think.
blkmymorris's review
4.0
This book looks at the legal aspects of social networks and how they infringe on privacy and other rights. It shows that privacy is rare and many sights embed beacons and cookies on your computer. It also discusses how scattershot legal ruling are and that legislation lags behind technology. If anything corporate interests are considered before an individual's rights. Very thought provoking. It made me download ghostery, which also may still sell my info.
ihuntsnarks's review
5.0
Worth the read just to know what you're dealing with every time you use social networks and where the laws currently stand on online privacy. An approachable breakdown of issues that are relevant to everyone with a digital second self.
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