LGBTQIA+ people have always faced discrimination in various areas of life, including their jobs, education, healthcare, housing, and access to public spaces. With the advent of social media and the internet, they are also vulnerable to the effects of surveillance capitalism, algorithmic bias, and corporate data collection. This has led to a new set of challenges for them in terms of identity management and privacy. In this article, we will discuss how LGBTQIA+ individuals can exercise agency over digital identities, privacy, and representation in environments governed by surveillance, algorithmic bias, and corporate data collection.
Agency Over Digital Identities
One way that LGBTQIA+ individuals can exercise agency over their digital identities is by creating multiple online personas that reflect different aspects of their lives.
Some may choose to create an online persona that aligns more closely with their gender expression while others might use one that better represents their sexual orientation. By doing so, they can control who sees what information about themselves and maintain a level of privacy that feels safe and comfortable.
Using pseudonyms or fake names when interacting with other users online can help protect personal information such as location, phone number, and email address from being revealed.
Privacy
In order to ensure privacy, LGBTQIA+ individuals should be mindful of what information they share on social media platforms and with apps that collect personal data. They should avoid posting photos or videos that reveal sensitive details like physical characteristics or clothing preferences. It's also important not to provide too much information during registration processes or when answering questions on quizzes or surveys.
It's advisable to limit the amount of time spent on sites where data is collected and tracked.
Activists suggest using VPNs (virtual private networks) and encrypted messaging services like Signal or WhatsApp for secure communication with friends, family, and loved ones.
Representation
Representation matters greatly for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially in terms of how they are portrayed in popular culture and mainstream media outlets. Fortunately, there has been progress made towards greater inclusivity in recent years.
Many still feel marginalized by the lack of representation in television shows, movies, books, magazines, newspapers, etc. To combat this problem, some have turned to creating their own content - whether through blogs, podcasts, vlogs, or social media accounts. Others have joined grassroots organizations working for change in mainstream media institutions. By taking control over their digital identities and sharing stories about themselves or others who identify as LGBTQIA+, these individuals can help shift narratives around sexuality and gender identity while also gaining a sense of empowerment.
The internet has given LGBTQIA+ people more visibility than ever before but also created new challenges regarding privacy, agency, and representation. By exercising caution when using apps, websites, or other platforms that collect personal information; by creating multiple online personas that align with different aspects of one's life; and by creating and sharing content that reflects diverse experiences within the community, individuals can take back control over their digital identities.
It is up to each person to decide how much they want to share about themselves online - even if that means maintaining anonymity altogether.
How can LGBT individuals exercise agency over digital identities, privacy, and representation in environments governed by surveillance, algorithmic bias, and corporate data collection?
While digital platforms offer LGBT individuals opportunities for self-expression and social connection, they also pose threats to their safety and privacy. As such, LGBT individuals must be proactive in managing their digital identity and representing themselves authentically online while maintaining control over personal information. One strategy is to use pseudonyms when engaging with others on these platforms to protect one's true identity from being uncovered.