While there is no doubt that the internet has been and continues to be very useful for a whole host of reasons, we are seeing signs that where information is concerned there are two distinctly different areas of access. We have seen a number of examples whereby large corporations, show business stars and politicians have been able to remove information from the internet, while the general pubic seem to be more exposed than ever before. So what really is happening?

There have been a number of instances in the recent past which include :-

Google Earth

We see more and more groups approaching Google to have certain information taken off Google Earth, and while some of this is justified, what exactly are they trying to hide from us?

Expenses

There is currently a major debate going on in the UK with regards to politician’s expenses and how they are allowed to spend tax payer’s money on second homes, travel, etc. While the public have been pushing for the release of the information for some time, the government have actually taken court action to block any publication. Again, what exactly have they got to hide?

Tax Returns

There have also been signs that many show business stars and top business people are receiving preferential treatment with regards to their tax returns. They seem to be more protected than the general public from the threat of people investigating their affairs.

These are just a small number of recent instances which have highlighted what appears to be a growing difference between the levels of protection the general public are afforded and those in more privileged situations. So while the internet has opened up a new and interesting arena for the publication of what should be general information, are we all playing on a level playing field or are the odds tilted in favour of politicians, large corporations and business people?

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While there is no doubt that the internet has been instrumental in a whole number of positive advances in the world of public information records, has it gone too far in some areas? Is it possible for a potential fraudster to pick away at elements of your life, bring them together and make life really difficult for you?

The internet is used in so many different ways to bring information to the attention of the masses, including:-

Government Records

Criminal Records

Child Protection Issues

Court Cases

Many countries throughout the world will list the details of all of their court cases as a matter of course, believing that all of the information – the reasons for the case and the decision – are very much in the public domain. Unfortunately, there have been situations where sensitive information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers and the like have actually been published on the internet as part of the overall package of say a divorce case or something similar.

When you consider that many of these non-criminal court cases in question will actually require the written consent of all parties, there is also a very good chance that personal signatures may well be issued as part of the settlement documentation. These are some of the very concerns about privacy which were dismissed out of hand back in the early days of the internet, but for many people they have come back to haunt them.

Too many people seem to be a little too trusting of the internet and the uses surfers will make of the information available. There are ways and means to complain to the authorities although as yet they have not been able to find a responsible balance between security and full disclosure. Until the situation is resolved we all need to be on alert for possible cases of fraud, because while we never think it will happen to us, there is every chance that it could!

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