Final answer:
Workplace privacy concerns are more critical today due to an increased online footprint and sophisticated cyber threats affecting personal and business information. Pew Research indicates a rising worry among users about online privacy, while governments and businesses struggle to balance security needs with individual privacy rights. The development of laws like COPPA shows the government stepping in to regulate data privacy amidst these growing concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Workplace privacy concerns are more important today than they were ten years ago due to various factors that have increased the vulnerability of personal and professional information. With a greater prevalence of online activity for social connectivity, sharing material, conducting business, and information storage, the risks of becoming a target for individuals with criminal intent have surged. Cybersecurity threats have expanded as well, with significant data breaches at companies like Target and JP Morgan. These breaches not only affect millions of individuals by exposing personal information but also threaten national security when government systems like Healthcare.gov are compromised.
Moreover, the cyber technologies' sophistication heightens the pressure on maintaining privacy in the digital age. The challenges of keeping personal, financial, and medical information confidential cross paths with the need for businesses to protect their operations and governments to shield national security secrets. People's expectations about privacy risks are also changing, as indicated by Pew Research Center's surveys. Notably, a marked increase in user concern over personal information online and experiences of harassment and theft of sensitive data like Social Security numbers emphasize the growing importance of privacy safeguards.
Legally, there have been steps taken to protect cyber data, but issues persist regarding the scrutiny that private businesses exert over personal information, leading to government intervention through laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Privacy becomes a more pressing issue as individuals demand greater control over their data amidst these evolving challenges. Both freedom of expression and concerns over governmental surveillance contribute to the delicate balance that needs to be struck between securing information and respecting privacy rights.