ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 18/02/2024
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 19/02/2024
Question: More people put their personal information online (address, telephone number) for everyday activities (socializing, shopping, banking).
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
(IELTS Academic – 17/02/2024)
ANSWER (8.0+):
The number of netizens uploading their personal details for various daily activities has been on the rise recently. I believe this trend is largely positive given the convenience and improved service experience it offers despite the risk of scams.
The foremost rationale for why I support people keeping private information online for daily purposes is the enhanced comfort. Many web browsers have enabled auto-fills that can automatically complete forms by using users’ previously loaded details, eliminating the hassle of repeatedly entering meticulous data such as credit card numbers. Furthermore, this also streamlines the process of online transactions encompassing goods purchases and hotel bookings, contributing to a greater sense of satisfaction.
Another reason for my approval of storing personal details online for everyday activities lies in the better quality of services that people receive. In reality, service providers have developed sophisticated tools that capitalise on users’ actions to customise their experience. For instance, Google Maps can produce more personalised suggestions of restaurants and cafes if users are willing to provide their home location and places of interest.
However, I acknowledge the possibility of personal details being taken advantage of by cyber criminals. It has been reported that a number of hackers have manipulated loopholes in websites’ security systems to steal their users’ details, which include banking passwords and social welfare codes. These hackers then utilised the data to steal money from the victims’ bank accounts or blackmail them. If such personal data were kept off the Internet , these instances might have been less likely.
In conclusion, I am of the opinion that keeping personal details online for everyday uses is mostly advantageous as individuals can benefit from heightened convenience and service quality even though the data might be vulnerable to cybercrime. That is why governments should take more resolute actions such as providing greater security support for tech companies to create a safer virtual environment.
(Word count: 315)
WORD LIST
ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
Netizens | Cư dân mạng |
Improved service experience | Cải thiện trải nghiệm dịch vụ |
Auto-fills | Tự động điền |
Repeatedly entering meticulous data | Nhập dữ liệu chi tiết nhiều lần |
Streamlines | Hợp lý hóa |
Online transactions | Giao dịch trực tuyến |
Storing personal details online | Lưu trữ thông tin cá nhân trực tuyến |
Capitalise on | Tận dụng |
Customise their experience | Tùy chỉnh trải nghiệm của họ |
Manipulated loopholes | Thao túng lỗ hổng |
Blackmail | Tống tiền |