Module 1 Assignment: Research Question and Purpose Statement
Category Selection
For this assignment, I have chosen the category of Innovative Technologies from the ENG 190
Project Resources Document.
Article Selection
The article I have selected is How the Pandemic Has Exacerbated Online Privacy Threats.
Citation (APA Format)
[Author(s)]. (Year). How the pandemic has exacerbated online privacy threats. [Publication
Name]. [URL]
Debatable Topic
The specific topic I identified within the article is the effectiveness of government regulations
in addressing online privacy threats during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This
topic is highly relevant as it raises questions about the balance between public safety,
technological innovation, and individual privacy rights.
Two Perspectives on the Topic
1. Pro-Government Regulation: Stricter regulations on tech companies are necessary to
prevent mass data collection and exploitation during emergencies. Privacy advocates
argue that without regulations, companies may misuse sensitive data, leading to increased
risks of surveillance and security breaches.
2. Anti-Government Regulation: Overregulation could hinder innovation and slow down
the response to future crises. Tech companies and policymakers may argue that access to
data is critical for developing solutions such as AI-driven contact tracing and pandemic
response tools.
Research Question
How should governments regulate tech companies to prevent online privacy violations
during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic?
Explanation of the Research Question
Identifying a specific aspect of the issue: The research question focuses on the role of
government intervention in protecting digital privacy while ensuring that technological
advancements can still be leveraged effectively during crises.
Aiming to solve a problem: The question addresses the challenge of balancing
individual privacy rights with the need for public safety measures that require data
collection.
Potential complex arguments and counterarguments: The topic invites discussion on
whether privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), have been effective in protecting users’ data
during crises or whether alternative policies should be considered.
Purpose of the Research
What I want to learn: I aim to explore how different governments handled online
privacy concerns during the pandemic and whether their policies effectively protected
user data while allowing technological innovation.
How research will help: Researching this topic will provide insight into multiple
perspectives, including those of privacy advocates, technology companies, and
policymakers. Understanding these different viewpoints will help in forming a well-
balanced argument for my persuasive essay.
By addressing this research question, I will analyze the effectiveness of current regulations and
propose potential solutions to enhance digital privacy protection in future crises.
