Recently there has been an increase in concern about privacy — especially internet privacy. Edward Snowden released confidential information about our government stating that major companies have been feeding information about their consumers to agencies such as the CIA. One company that has become a household name over the years, Google has supposedly been monitoring information about its users and giving that information to the US government. This cartoon is in regards to this rumor:
This
cartoon shows an agent from Google monitoring the activities of users. Aside
from Google’s own products, the use of different fruits on the consumer’s
devices reflects Google’s abilities to monitor products that are produced by
different companies, such as Apple. The second man in this cartoon tells the
other not to be “paranoid” despite the agent telling them to speak slower so he
can write down their conversation. This is parallel to the idea that most of
society blindly accepts these acts regardless of their legality. In a motion from
Google dismissing lawsuits, Google said that users should “not expect privacy”
when using its e-mail service, Gmail. Despite Google’s claims denouncing
criticisms on its privacy policies, Gmail has been attacked by lawmakers and
privacy advocates calling the service a “horrific invasion of privacy” since
its inception in 2004.
Internet
security has always been and will continue to be a concern, especially with
large corporations such as Google. This cartoon represents the actions of the
company and perhaps others as well. Through satirical elements such as the
parody of situations in which someone uses a computer or similar device, the
creator of this cartoon critiques and exposes the flawed policy on internet
security of Google, while mocking societies blind acceptance of these policies.
Regardless of advancements in technology, there is always a negative side which
in this case, is the invasion of privacy into everyone’s daily lives.
