Vinaya Parimi

When someone Googles the definition of privacy, the most accepted answer is “the state or condition of being free from being observed”, but truly, what is privacy beyond those constructed words? Is it having the ability to privatize your account on Facebook, is it having a black screen protector on your iPhone11, or is it simply closing the door behind you so people know to not disturb you? To me, all of these things have one thing in common: you are in control of what other people get to know about you - not your mom, not your brother, not your friend, not a stranger. 

My personal definition of privacy was advanced during my time working on the International Privacy Literacy Project (I-PLP). This project enhanced my knowledge in a multitude of facets, ranging from understanding the depth of the Indian language of Telugu to mastering Wikipedia by becoming a content creator. From the first week, the I-PLPteam and I had extensively focused on becoming savvy on the Wikipedia editing platform - we learned the differences between Wikicode and Visual Editor, we learned how to format articles in various stylistic approaches and add citations, and we learned the relevance of plagiarism during content creation. My team and I have acquired the skills to be Wikipedia editors and content creators while simultaneously indulging in educating ourselves about contemporary forms of privacy through our weekly virtual labs and Add 5/ Edit 5 collaborations. These assignments were an effective substitute for an in-person team bonding experience as we were given a chance to interact with the same documents and view how other people perceive essential questions regarding their own protection. The sense of a community is imperative to Naniette Coleman and the rest of the affiliates working on this project. Our weekly easter eggs, or simply just the abundance of office hours available to talk about concerns regarding the project or life in general illustrates the familial nature of the team. It is a community where I thrive and feel empowered alongside my peers. The characteristic diversity in everyone’s backgrounds and cultures makes the team a compelling association as we are able to aggregate such distinctions to further not only the advancement of this team, but also our knowledge as a whole. 

The more familiarized I became with the project, the more specialized my work became. My time on this team culminated in a concentration on privacy regarding sectors of ride sharing and social profiling in the Telugu language. One of my primary roles was to translate and upload articles on these two subjects onto Telugu Wikipedia (I find it very fitting to rename the project International People eLucidating Papers (I-PLP) - perhaps I will make this proposal in our upcoming meetings). As one of the many languages spoken in India, Telugu Wikipedia is not as developed as other prevalent languages such as Hindi or Urdu. Working on Telugu Wikipedia and uploading my articles to the mainspace encouraged me to appreciate the endeavors of other creators, no matter the language. The process of fabricating, translating, and editing an article is an achievement which is then viewed by the rest of the world. This feeling is unmatched as I am helping develop and progress the availability of resources and information for the Telugu population. 

The International Privacy Literacy Project has brought me one step closer to initiating meaningful change in the realm of education and privacy while changing my perception of the word privacy. Privacy isn’t merely just the condition of not being observed, but rather an individual’s right to determine what information they are comfortable sharing and who can access such information. We are the future of privacy, we create the terms of our own privacy policy. As Elliot Noss, CEO of Tucows, states, “Privacy allows people to be themselves without fear of being judged. That may require anonymity, pseudonymity or sharing significant personal data. What is important is user control”. Working as a part of I-PLP has enhanced my previously constricted definition into this rather peripheral definition; this is what true privacy means - the idea of being in control of my personal information. 

I’m attracted to advancing my knowledge, collaborating with other minds, and connecting with a vast network of alumni - I-PLP’s futuristic thinking has equipped me and the rest of my team to innovate even in the midst of a global crisis. The International Privacy Literacy Project is where students become leaders, where ambitious ideas become tangible, and where differences are made.