The new challenges to privacy: social networks

Abstract

Internet social network services have drawn attention and enthusiasm from the Brazilian market in 2004. In this article some reflections on the legal aspects of the relationship between technological structure and terms of use implemented. The notion of privacy has historically been developed according to the development of new technologies which menace previous expectations of social relationship of individuals, and the technologic, ethic and legal responses used. Electronic social networks allow an unforeseen integration of social circles, making difficult the use of social masks and separation of information inside certain contexts. In some situations this may imply in a menace to intimacy, which shall be dealt with using technical and legal approaches. Regardless of the choice made, it is important to bear in mind the subjectivity of the notion of truth, privacy, intimacy. That the solutions shall not hold still or impose arbitrary standards, but, on the other hand, allow a flexible menu of choice for those who intend to keep a higher seclusion of personal information and at the same time create structures that allow those who want to establish a broader communication, to do so through secure media.