As a user of an instant messaging or live chat program, all Internet users would like to believe they have the right to expect a certain degree of privacy in their communications. While in theory this is true, in practice, unless specific security precautions are taken, Internet users have little expectation of privacy. It is important to remember this fact any time the Internet is used for instant messaging, chatting or emailing.
There are some programs, such as encryption programs, that do provide the user with an added degree of privacy protection. However, most general Internet users do not utilize these extra programs. This means that any conversation they have via an instant message or live chat can be saved, reprinted, reposted or referenced by anyone who participated in the conversation.
This is, of course, a frightening thought. Because of the elastic nature of the Internet, words spoken by a 16 year old can, theoretically, be easily reproduced 10 years later. As social media sites such as FaceBook, continue to grow in popularity this has become even more problematic. Consider, for instance, Bristol and willow Palin, who, several months ago made some derogatory comments via a social media site. They had the expectation of privacy, as the site belonged to a friend. Unfortunately, those comments were reprinted on a massive scale by almost every news media outlet available.
This example clearly illustrates the danger of privacy expectations on the Internet. For this reason, it is critical that Internet users always carefully monitor what they’re saying when they are chatting on the Internet. Unless a program, which is specifically designed to protect the privacy of the user, is utilized it is best to assume that there’s no expectation of privacy.