THE QUESTION OF DATA: ARE WE SAFE?

Every day when you wake up, you take your phone to check whether someone had called you or sent you a text message. Of course, you can’t leave your bed without switching on your mobile data to see what is going on in the social media. But have you ever thought of how much footprints you leave on the internet?

Whether we know or we don’t, we generate millions of terabytes of data each day. Giant tech companies such as Google and Facebook produce addictive free apps such as Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp among many others. Someone once said, if you don’t pay for it, you are the one being used. These giant tech companies didn’t tell you one thing: they collect data in your apps. Everywhere you visit, every picture you click, everything you type is stored and analyzed to be used somewhere sometime. 

Fifty years ago, data meant nothing to anybody, just like the way owning land meant nothing to Africans three hundred years ago; the land was anybody’s and no body’s. Now, everything has changed. Possessing data means more than just having someone else’s details. It means having access to his life, his mind, his security.

“When someone knows your movements online, his reparation can go beyond just having access to your data,” says Joshua Mabina, a freelance software engineer.

But how valuable is your personal information to some stranger living thousands of miles away from you?

Our online behavior very much defines our actual lives. The videos we watch, the song we listen or skip, the product we search or purchase, the film we watch, etc. Our browsers (Chrome, Mozila Firefox, Opera, etc.) use cookies which are stored in browsers every time you visit a website. The web owners then store your ‘movements’ on their website for the purpose of improving their website services next time you visit again.

All this information is used by tech companies to better their products and services. Advertising companies use this data to suggest products that they think you might be interested to buy. Politicians use this data to estimate how many votes they may get. Police use this data to track and catch the lawbreakers. Good thing, isn’t it?

The 2008 Obama campaigns, for instance, designed a tool in which people would predict how likely they would cast a ballot, and whether or not they supported him. The campaign team was so confident that one of the campaign consultants was quoted saying that they were confident about who was going to vote for Obama before they decided. 

This is not a new concept, politicians have always used data to predict the election results, like in the campaign rallies, public opinions, and media influence. What is shocking, however, is the rate at which the giant tech companies have invested in collecting data they have used to influence the election result. The 2016 Cambridge Analytica saga is a good example of this scenario. This is where the UK-based data analytics firm was involved in the theory that it had played an important role in the US election. The company, it was revealed, contained data of more than 220 million Americans culled from Facebook and other data purchased from data mining companies.

The problem arises when the use of data accumulated over a period of time, which, of course, is private and sensitive, is essential in affecting political influence and undermining the democratic process. Personal traits can be used to predict the action of an individual.

There is also a security concern when it comes to accumulating mass data. Databases can get hacked, leaked, stolen or shared, as it happened in the US 2016 election where political candidates shared the database of their supporters.

Some of us still believe that online is a secure place to store our personal and sensitive data, simply because cloud drives are encrypted and no-one can break into ‘online safe box.’ But the cloud storage companies use encryption keys to secure the data, which of course, can get hacked like any other data storage system.

What should we do now? Should we stop using social media? Should we stop uploading our data to cloud drives? Should we stop using emails because they aren’t safe? Of course not. Here is a piece of advice. 

First, create complex passwords. These will prevent hackers to easily get into your system. Strong password includes words in both capital and small letters, numbers and characters. For example, pGd486-HWY can be considered a strong password. Additionally, use different password for each account, like password for Facebook account should be different from your Twitter account. This is to prevent the possibility of all accounts to be breached once a hacker gets access to one of your account. This includes your digital bank password too.

We all like free Wi-Fi, don’t we? On the public areas, free Wi-Fi’s are tempting to use. But the reality is, they are insecure. It is very easy for hackers to access your device information or your data when you are using public Wi-Fi. The best advice here is to use the Virtual Private Network (VPN). This is a software that helps to create secure connection on the internet. However, most VPNs do not come for free. But better safe than sorry.

How many times have we clicked on links or downloaded attachments on the emails without even considering what they are? Be advised: you are put to a vulnerable place by the links you click. Most of the hackers today use phony free offers to lure you to click and reveal your personal information. Don’t download every attachment sent in your email. Just download from the sender you trust. In addition, make sure you scan before downloading.

I ask some of the technology consumers if they are aware of their sensitive data online. Most of them agree that they pay very little attention to who has their data online or who use them. However, Stephen, a Mikocheni resident in Dar es Salaam, says that he always read terms and conditions before he agrees to them. “If they are too long, I skip!”

Some even go further to suggest not providing accurate data when it comes to their safety. “You never know who wants your data for. Just give wrong information; name, age, e-mail, gender, etc. just to be on the safe side,” says David Rweyemamu, a recent graduate at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Just as any good thing has its other side, technology has its other side too. When it comes to data, it directly involves our personal lives. Being careful is not an option anymore. “If you become a target, your life might be in danger, especially when they profile you,” says Mr. Mabina. Profiling is when someone compiles your online data. “What you are doing online will always help someone who is after you. You have to agree to give your personal data only to someone you trust.” And that is how we should go.

Sam Gidori is a student at the University of Dar es Salaam, pursuing BA in Mass Communication. Besides writing, he also produces and edit various television and radio programs at Mlimani Media.

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REBORN - 4

With the new motorcycle, I passed across traffic police waving at them. No one dared to stop me. The motorcycle appearance answered all their questions. I reached my destination three minutes before the planned time. It was cool being early for a wise man once said, the early the better.  I managed to have a good view of the hotel, in fact, It wasn’t such a big hotel though it was a place any man could wish to be.

I started enjoying the view more than concentrating on my watch for at least the view paused some rough moments and thoughts inside me. It was the speedy motorcycle heading towards me that brought back my thoughts. I immediately glanced at my watch, and it was time I received the package.

By the time I realized that the speedy motorcycle parked besides me and a heavy black safari bag was handed to me with an escort of three words.

         “Drive, drive, drive”

I had questions, but the man had already gone. I was alone, alone with a heavy package I didn’t know what it contained. My mind was confused with the speedy motorcyclists. How comes he looked just like I did! I mean he had the same height and cloth as I did, the motorcycle he drove was also similar to mine, even the plate number resembled.

     “Something isn’t right here, why would he dress just like me!”

How stupid I was to stand there and ask myself these important questions because after a minute I started hearing sounds of police sirens approaching. With all that had happened, the only thing in my mind was the words “Drive, drive, drive”

At first, I wasn’t sure that it was me that was being chased, but after a few minutes, I came to realize that three police cars were behind me, and they were all fast and furious. This had turned serious because now I had two lives to save, Abby’s and mine. I had surely seen an AK before but never seen one pointed at me.    

I don’t know why the man chose me for the mission, but if there was a thing I was sure of, is that I was a pretty good motorcyclists, especially with a right motorcycle, and in that moment the motorcycle seemed more than fine. I drove, drove, and drove until I kept hearing the sirens from afar.

I arrived at the orphanage much earlier than the police, finding a man standing at the gate. He signed me to stop, and when I did, he handed me over another safari bag though much lighter than the one I had. I opened the bag and saw some cash. I had no time to count but they seemed pretty much enough for Abby’s therapy. I smiled with my helmet on and handed him the heavy safari bag I had. The only reply I got was “drive”.

I had to do so, for the sirens sounded much closer now. I started the chase race. I didn’t care about anything. I only imagined handing over the cash to the Abby’s doctor and enter Abby’s ward with a smile of a responsible and loving father.

I arrived at the hospital, parked near the entrance and rushed inside.

     “ Suleiman…..” The gorgeous nurse at the reception called me while standing up as soon as I entered the hospital in a rush.

       “I’ll be back honey,” I replied while running towards Abby’s ward.

They say that life is like a flower, it can make you water it day and night and when it starts nourishing a heavy rain comes and washes it away.

I had only a few steps ahead of Abby’s ward when the door opened and I saw a nurse coming out of Abby’s ward with a wheal bed with a little body covered up a white bed sheet. Immediately my legs lost its stamina and I couldn’t run nor walk anymore. The smile I had also vanished. I had this confused and disbelief look. What more proof did I need? I knew my baby girl’s height, and the way they covered her body reminded me of the day my late wife passed away.

No part of my body had the courage to move, not even my eyes, they were wide open in disbelief. My hands had no more energy to hold the black safari bag. It fell down.

While still staring at Abby’s body being rolled away, her doctor came out of the room too. Our eyes met, and I still remember the look on his face when mummed the words, “I am sorry Suleiman”

With such a confirmation, my body couldn’t take it anymore. I knelt down with tears rolling out of my eyes just to hear the words, “Hands up……put your hands on the back of your neck.”

I knew it was the police and they were talking to me, but how could I? The only thing that kept me going, had gone away.

What followed next is hard to explain, all I know is everything turned dark and I was down lying on the hospital floor with my breath heavy as a dying bull.   


What will happen next? What was inside the package? How will it be after Abby's death?
The next episode is on its way. Don't miss out.

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REBORN - 3

Time is magical in times of hurdle and troubles. Sometimes it’s fast, sometimes it’s slow. In my case, it was fast. It didn’t take me long to reach the reception desk. There I found that gorgeous female nurse that had a smile as my late wife. Well, let’s cast the devil away and say no to temptations.

         “Hello Suleiman, how’s Abby?” She said giving me the smile I told you about as I approached her desk.

        “Let’s just pray for her. She really need prayers.” I replied back while forcing a smile that never appeared.

       “She is a good girl, she will be okay.” Her voice now sounded sympathetic.

        “Has anyone left me a package?” I asked not sure if the stranger was serious. But he must be, he sounded sincere.

         “Ooh yeah, I think so. Give me a minute” She replied and bent under her desk.

My mind was like “Thank Goodness, he wasn’t joking”.

          But, what could the package be! I started wondering.

In few seconds, the nurse sat upright and handed me a black mini-bag and a small sealed envelope.

            “Here we go.” She said.

            “Thank you, so much” I replied with my concern more on the package and envelop than on her.

I then walked a few steps from her desk, unsealed the envelope and took out the letter inside it.

I held the letter for some countless seconds arguing with my mind whether to go on or forget about the man and his letter. Finally, I decided to read it because it was not likely that I had a choice.

Here is what the letter said, read it careful please.

        “As I told you before Suleiman, your task is simple, though needs to be done with care. If you follow my lead everything is going to be fine and simple. Inside the min-bag are some cloth that you have to put on. I hope they fit you well. There is a small zip inside the bag, open it, you will find a motorcycle key. The motorcycle is packed outside the hospital. You will just know it as soon you see it. IT’S A BRAND NEW ONE. Before we go on, after you deliver the package the motorcycle is yours.

With the cloth on, ride to the city Centre and park beside ARMOND HOTEL and wait there for five minutes. My brother will deliver you a package and as soon as you get it, drive fast until you reach FURAHA ORPHANAGE. There you will find a man waiting for you, give him the package and he will hand over you the cash I promised. After you get the cash, rush to the hospital and pay your daughter's treatments. You know better than I that Abby has no much time.

I wish you the best of lucks man. And please Suleiman, don’t mess up. The package is really to me.

By A FRIEND.”

I bet you also could have doubted the man and the package, but believe me, with a dying kid, those doubts are NOTHING.  Now the issue I asked myself and perhaps you may be asking yourself is about time I was supposed to start the so-called “deliver the package mission”.

I too first wondered but after I turned the letter, my doubts vanished.

     “It’s noon now, be around ARMOND HOTEL at 05pm sharp, you get late you miss the package and Abby’s money.”

I opened the mini-bag and found the cloth and the key. I went outside and found a brand new motorcycle. I couldn’t stop smiling knowing that I’d own it few hours later.

 “I could hire someone and make this tukutuku a boda boda to earn extra income.” I thought while touching it. I nearly kissed it, if I had not been at my early 30’s. Even though, why what stopped me from giving it a try!

I rode it and went to buy some food and fed Abby, comforted her until 04pm. It was time to go, or else I would be late.

         “I am going to withdrawal money for your therapy honey. I won’t be late.”

          “Promise?” She said while stretching her little finger towards me.

          “Yeah, Promise” I replied with a smile then stretched my finger too, and we promised in sign. This sign meant that we were supposed to meet again.

Just like that, I hated saying goodbye. For me, goodbye was a bit of bad luck. And just like me, Abby believed so too.

I went to the hospital washroom and put on the cloth delivered to me.  The shirt was a black long sleeve. The trouser, black jeans. And the shoes, leather black. With the glasses on, man! I resembled a black panther.

I got outside the hospital, sat on the motorcycle, put on the helmet and looked at the hospital entrance. I inhaled and exhaled slowly and BOOM! It was time to go. It was time I did something good for my baby girl. It was a time I had to put my faith in a stranger.

WHAT’S NEXT?

WHAT DOES DESTINY HAVE FOR SULEIMAN?

IS HIS FUTURE PLEASANT?

Reborn 4 is coming soon!

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