School Library Journal
(Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)
Gr 7 Up-As our digital footprint continues to grow, more and more information about our livesbe it where we are, to whom we're talking, or what we're buyingis being collected, analyzed, and stored online. In this slim yet compact book, January discusses, in a straightforward, thought-provoking fashion, the various aspects of the Internet privacy debate, including individual rights and ownership of digital data, as well as how to safeguard personal details. Balancing the opinions of legal authorities and technology experts with concrete evidence, January presents a strong case for greater digital security yet acknowledges the difficulties in doing so. Because laws governing digital privacy issues have not caught up with the constantly changing world of technology, the rights of citizens, January points out, are in a legal gray area. Numerous examples, captioned photographs, and informative sidebars support and advance the pro-privacy arguments, while an extensive "Source Notes" section documents the sheer volume of information available on the topic. Additional back matter elements provide a wealth of information for students looking to learn more about this complex and ongoing debate. VERDICT An essential purchase.— Audrey Sumser, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH
ALA Booklist
(Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)
From Edward Snowden to celebrity photo hacks to someone getting fired for a tweet, cybersecurity seems to be constantly in the news, and while readers may be of the "it can't happen to me" mindset, January's book will have them seriously reconsidering their convictions. Beginning with an overview of the history of privacy rights, January swiftly moves into various ways companies are tracking users online with real-life, documented horror stories, which are both fascinating and appalling, such as the story of the man who found out that Facebook had retained a 1,222-page record of his activities on the site, including some content he had deleted. Although the topic is relevant and fascinating, this volume is best suited for research papers or presentations rather than casual browsing. It's a slim offering but crammed full of information that will make readers think twice before sending that Snapchat, posting on Facebook, or sending a selfie. With an engaging, direct tone and plenty of further reading suggestions, this informative title will provide valuable, accessible insight into an up-to-the-minute topic.