Is there such a thing as internet privacy?

Google+ has started to crack down on their real name policy. Some people are against this, as they feel having a fake name keeps their account more private. Others respond that there is no privacy on the internet. You shouldn't post anything that you wouldn't want the world to see.

The topic of internet privacy has been brought up many times before, mostly when people have to deal with the real life consequences of what they post online. Things like teachers being fired over a rant on their blog. I've heard over and over again that it's their own fault, because the internet isn't private. It just isn't. Doesn't matter if what you got in trouble for was in a "private" email, if it was posted on the internet you should expect someone else to find it.

I don't really agree with this line of thinking.

Is most of the internet private? No, it's not. I take part in an online forum and I know that basically anyone could go on there and find my posts. I divulge personal information that may not be wise, and talk about political beliefs that could be detrimental when looking for a job. If someone happened to randomly come across the postings I would have no one to blame but myself.

However, I think that is different than someone purposely seeking out information just to hurt me, or someone giving this information just to hurt me. I also think it's completely different than getting access to non-public posts on my social networking sites or my email. If I say something incriminating in an IM, and then that person screenshots the IM and starts showing it around, I don't think I should be told "well nothing's private on the internet - it's your own fault".

If that is true then it should also be true for anything you say, write, or do anytime anywhere. When posting information that is supposed to be private online, those who gain access to such information do so with the understanding that such information is not to be shared. Because not everyone has access to everything online (without hacking) I do think there are some spots within the internet framework that should be considered just as private as a home, car, office, etc. Just like people can take screenshots on the internet people can take photos, videos, sound recordings, etc IRL. To me sending an email about a medical condition should be no different than telling someone about it in person. Entering my social security number into a webform should be just like physically writing it down on a paper form. Employers should have no more access to my private social networking page than they do to my diary. I really don't understand the concept that anything I do on the internet is public information, when that doesn't apply to other things such as my telephone conversations. Maybe one of you can enlighten me?

I would like to note that I don't have an issue with police looking at private posting on the internet, as long as they have a warrant. If they need a warrant to search my home they should need a warrant to search my facebook.