P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the distribution of digital media, be it over a network or using the various forms of storage media.  Examples of media that are shared may be video, music, software, or e-books.  They may be shared over the internet, on portable hard drives and flash drives, or optical disks.

P2P file sharing in particular is of special interest.  In this model, the distribution and sharing of digital media is performed over a peer-to-peer network in which connected users can access files being shared by other connect peers.  Examples of P2P networks include, but are not limited to, E-Donkey, Shareazza, Rapid Share, Limewire, the very popular Bittorrent, and Usenet newsgroups.  P2P filesharing has been heavily targeted by the MPAA and RIAA due to the adverse effect it has taken on their industry's revenues.  In 2009, the MPAA claimed that "illegal downloads and streams were responsible for about 40% of the revenue the industry loses annually to piracy" (Stelter and Stone, 2009).

The Bittorent model facilitates the distribution of large files like full length movies and software by breaking the file down into small parts that one downloads from multiple "seeders" and "leeches", simultaneously.  All of the information related to a "torrent" is stored at a "tracker".  The speed with which a user can download a torrent is quite impressive especially with the increased availability of broadband internet access. 

It has been somewhat of a challenge to establish any form of effective legislation against P2P filesharing and the illicit distribution of intellectual property.  This is especially challenging because much of the distribution is centralized in foreign markets where there are no regulations present.  Additionally, athough "file sharing on P2P networks appears to have leveled off, sites that offered alternatives to downloads, like streaming of pirated movies, have seen rapid growth" (Pfanner, 2009).

Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy and confidentiality are especially sensitive matters when it comes to new media.
Unfortunately, most people are not knowledgeable about the risks they take when using social networking sites. 

When joining sites like Facebook many people are very trusting with the information they share.  They reveal a wealth of information about themselves on these sites without realizing how they may be compromising their privacy.  Users need to know how to use the tools provided to enforce that not all of their information is shared with just anyone.  Privacy allows us to maintain control of our relationships, both personal and professional.  People do not share the same details about themselves with their colleagues and their close friends or partners.  It is by protecting this privacy that we can maintain the differences in our relations. 

All of the information that people share on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc., can be used by anyone, with the right skill set, to build a profile of an individual.  This is how we Facebook can deliver ads that target certain demographics. 

This is not just a problem with new media but the Internet as a whole.  New media is a product of the information age.  The threats to privacy and confidentiality are exponentially greater as a result of how we share and consume information on the web.