Asymmetry of Power - BE

Definition: Computers do not only carry out an action. they can only carry data. One does not have control over the latter.

This results in companies being able to track the actions of individuals without knowledge or control over what is saved, other than by altering what they utilize the internet for. This leads to a big brother society where companies can predict behaviour and benefit the user or control supply and demand to maximise profit.

Visiting a particular website results in your visit being logged, tracked with cookies and then combined with information already held about you to send you personalized advertisements. You can see what is happening behind the scenes using packet capture software such wire shark.