WHY PRIVACY MATTERS
Fundamental Right
Privacy is a fundamental right that protects sensitive personal data (health, beliefs, finances) from misuse.
When we are observed, we change our behavior. This is why secret ballots are vital to democracy. Privacy prevents real harms like identity theft, targeted ads, discrimination, and harassment that stem from data exploitation.
The "Nothing to Hide" Fallacy
"Nothing to hide" is misleading: just a few innocuous data points (like purchase dates/locations) can re-identify 90% of people. Privacy isn't hiding crime, it's controlling data access to prevent identity theft, discrimination, and other harms.
People instinctively keep private things (diary, passwords). Even if you feel you're uninteresting, aggregated data from Google, Facebook, etc. builds a deep profile. Without privacy protections, anyone's data can be hacked or sold, leading to identity theft, financial fraud, profiling, and manipulation.
Big Tech and Data Collection
Big tech firms profit from collecting and selling your personal data. Assuming "they already have it" ignores that breaches or legal demands can expose and misuse that data.
Even if a firm holds your data, it doesn't make you safer - breaches, insider leaks (like Cambridge Analytica), or government subpoenas can expose it. Data brokers compile profiles; even non-technical info can be sensitive (location habits, social links, etc.).
Useful Privacy Lists
Chromium Browsers
Search Engines
- 1. Searx
- 2. Startpage
- 3. DuckDuckGo