Following the post-COVID stimulus hangover in 2022, the bull market has continued to run. One of the key factors was the Federal Reserve’s decision to
Smart Technology and Smart Choices
Published Date : November 9, 2017
On any typical day, one can freely access leading websites from smart phones, cull through personalized news services, and review all sorts of history, social media and shared information – all by tacitly accepting the many algorithms that track our every move. Home thermostats can intelligently readjust as they sense that we leave for the office, for more eco-friendly settings, at the same time we figure out the fastest commute to the office using a traffic optimization app on one of our devices. And if we are trying to catch a flight, we all know the various privacy trade-offs we now accept just to get through security, especially if we opt to expedite processing with pre-clearance protocols. Indeed, the privacy choices we constantly make seem to be endless in exchange for the added convenience and stunning efficiency of participating in the transformational mega-trend of ubiquitous connectivity.
There is little doubt this trend has brought unquestionable benefits to each of us and to society as a whole. Yet our collective willingness to share our lives without a second thought – and the aggregation of our personal information into centralized databases in the cloud – has also brought insecurity, enabling those individuals and groups that wish us harm a virtual treasure trove of information. Some of the choices we make are our own; others are forced upon us to participate in the digital ecosystem. Unfortunately, as it stands today, you either choose to opt in or to opt out. There seems to be little in the way of middle ground.
In the wake of the Equifax database hack (and Yahoo, Anthem, Target and many others), it is clear that malicious online thieves have already captured or soon will get their hands on much of our personal information. While we can measure the market price drop of Equifax’s stock or other punitive effects at other compromised firms, the ultimate cost to the rest of us is less quantifiable, in part because those costs are hidden, they are more difficult to value and they are often delayed in their impact.
These high profile breaches highlight the inherent disadvantages of so much personal information so freely collected and available. In fact, some say that privacy is essentially dead and we should simply get used to it; others do not accept this fate, and instead advocate for strengthening privacy laws and updating the Constitution’s 4th Amendment to better protect these rights in the modern, digital world. Ultimately privacy – in its many forms – is up to lawmakers to protect and preserve, or not.
In the meantime, as this brave new world evolves, Sand Hill remains vigilant about doing what we can on our end to protect client privacy and property – from the safety of money transfers and other transactions to the information we encrypt and store. Of course, we understand your basic need to participate in our society of increasingly free-flowing information. But until the regulatory and legal systems catch up with the pace of technological change – and consumer privacy, security and confidentiality becomes even more secure – it is critical to be alert about how information is shared and with whom. After all, in the digital age, if you aren’t paying for it and you aren’t the customer, you’re probably the product being sold. And that’s worth thinking about.
Articles and Commentary
Information provided in written articles are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. There is a risk of loss from investments in securities, including the risk of loss of principal. The information contained herein reflects Sand Hill Global Advisors' (“SHGA”) views as of the date of publication. Such views are subject to change at any time without notice due to changes in market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. SHGA does not provide tax or legal advice. To the extent that any material herein concerns tax or legal matters, such information is not intended to be solely relied upon nor used for the purpose of making tax and/or legal decisions without first seeking independent advice from a tax and/or legal professional. SHGA has obtained the information provided herein from various third party sources believed to be reliable but such information is not guaranteed. Certain links in this site connect to other websites maintained by third parties over whom SHGA has no control. SHGA makes no representations as to the accuracy or any other aspect of information contained in other Web Sites. Any forward looking statements or forecasts are based on assumptions and actual results are expected to vary from any such statements or forecasts. No reliance should be placed on any such statements or forecasts when making any investment decision. SHGA is not responsible for the consequences of any decisions or actions taken as a result of information provided in this presentation and does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. No part of this material may be (i) copied, photocopied, or duplicated in any form, by any means, or (ii) redistributed without the prior written consent of SHGA.
Video Presentations
All video presentations discuss certain investment products and/or securities and are being provided for informational purposes only, and should not be considered, and is not, investment, financial planning, tax or legal advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Investing in securities involves varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will be profitable or suitable for a particular client’s financial situation or risk tolerance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Individual performance results will vary. The opinions expressed in the video reflect Sand Hill Global Advisor’s (“SHGA”) or Brenda Vingiello’s (as applicable) views as of the date of the video. Such views are subject to change at any point without notice. Any comments, opinions, or recommendations made by any host or other guest not affiliated with SHGA in this video do not necessarily reflect the views of SHGA, and non-SHGA persons appearing in this video do not fall under the supervisory purview of SHGA. You should not treat any opinion expressed by SHGA or Ms. Vingiello as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of general opinion. Nothing presented herein is or is intended to constitute investment advice, and no investment decision should be made based solely on any information provided on this video. There is a risk of loss from an investment in securities, including the risk of loss of principal. Neither SHGA nor Ms. Vingiello guarantees any specific outcome or profit. Any forward-looking statements or forecasts contained in the video are based on assumptions and actual results may vary from any such statements or forecasts. SHGA or one of its employees may have a position in the securities discussed and may purchase or sell such securities from time to time. Some of the information in this video has been obtained from third party sources. While SHGA believes such third-party information is reliable, SHGA does not guarantee its accuracy, timeliness or completeness. SHGA encourages you to consult with a professional financial advisor prior to making any investment decision.
Other Posts By This Author
- – A New Year’s Toast to the Silicon Valley Entrepreneur
- – How I Learned to Love the Bot
- – Thank You for Your Partnership
- – The Coming Deglobalization
Related Posts
Recent Posts
