Omnipticon surveillance and privacy on social media

Today, the Turkish society's intensive use of social media tools, where a communication based on exhibitionism and voyeurism takes place, has perhaps the most destructive effect on their privacy so far. In the omniptic environment of social media tools, where everyone controls everyone else, the symmetrical communication between individuals based on exhibitionism and voyeurism is also constantly and asymmetrically monitored by the owners of these tools and political powers for the continuity of their existence, which brings about a multifaceted loss of privacy. In this context, the aim of the present research is to reveal the exhibitionism and voyeurism attitudes of Generation X, Y, Z, which have different characteristics in Turkish society, on social media tools; the reasons for this exhibitionism and voyeurism; their awareness and, if they are aware, their actions in the face of surveillance carried out by social media companies and foreign intelligence services. This research is important in terms of developing and enriching the existing literature by examining the perceptions, attitudes, reasons for actions and weaknesses in awareness of the generations on the relevant issue. Phenomenology, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The research was conducted with a total of 54 participants, 9 men and 9 women from each generation, determined by criterion sampling and maximum variation sampling, which are among the purposeful sampling methods. A standardized open-ended interview approach was adopted to collect data from the research group. The analysis of the data obtained was carried out with MAXODA analysis program. A descriptive analysis approach was adopted to analyze the data. As a result of the research, it has been observed that all generations have internalized the culture of exhibitionism and voyeurism, and the way they perceive privacy, live it, and approach the privacy of others has transformed. At the same time, although it can be said that the majority of the generations are aware of power surveillance on social media tools, it is also seen that the majority do not fully comprehend the risks of such surveillance through their inaction.