The Value of Privacy

Before diving deeper into this topic, I should clarify my own stance. Years ago, I distanced myself from social media—not out of principle, but because I found it overwhelmingly toxic. The people I cherish already have my phone number, so I saw no need for social media, which primarily kept me in touch with those I’d rather avoid.

Moreover, I firmly believe that governments can access whatever data they need from various devices or providers, often backed by a warrant afterward. I assume that if individuals have access to personal data, they will likely explore it for their amusement. My hesitation in joining Medium stemmed from the fact that my real name would be publicly visible, while my work as a ghostwriter provided a comfortable anonymity.

With that perspective, let’s critically examine privacy issues. To gauge our true valuation of privacy, we should try to assign it some numerical worth. For many, especially the younger generation, I’d estimate that value hovers around zero.

Back in the early 2000s, there was a significant level of skepticism about sharing personal information online. Older generations would caution, "Anyone can find that out," or express concerns about safety. Nowadays, such guardedness has shifted to a mindset of convenience and fear of missing out. Many social media users are simply there to stay updated on others’ lives. Advertisers capitalize on the fear of being left out that social media perpetuates.

I will genuinely miss the older generations when they are gone, particularly their cautious skepticism. Their "I won't trust this until I've seen years of data" mentality is invaluable and sadly diminishing.

The invisibility of privacy violations often leads us to believe they are non-existent. However, they are very real. If you search for a specific car model, you can expect to see ads for that model pop up everywhere. Do you think your other online activities are somehow exempt from similar scrutiny?

Our privacy has become a commodity, and we have relinquished it willingly. Don’t take my word for it—consider excerpts from Facebook's, or rather Meta’s, 2021 annual report:

"We are, and expect to continue to be, the subject of investigations... particularly in the areas of privacy, data protection, and consumer protection as we continue to grow."

This statement doesn't exactly scream, "We're a trustworthy company." They are clear about how much they rely on user data from outside their platform:

"Our advertising revenue is dependent on targeting and measurement tools that incorporate data signals from user activity on websites and services that we do not control."

In essence, they profit by tracking your online behavior and selling that information. The report also mentions how certain regulations in Europe and California hinder their ability to monitor users, thus impacting their ad revenue.

Lastly, they candidly state that ongoing efforts related to privacy will likely uncover further misuse of user data. In layman’s terms, they're saying, "Your data isn't secure with us."

These companies aren’t attempting to hide their actions like Big Tobacco did; they’re upfront about the trade-off. Yet, we don’t seem to value our information enough to realize it’s a poor exchange.

Side Effects of the Digital Age

Privacy laws have faced scrutiny in the past. Numerous Supreme Court cases and legal disputes have focused on explicit or implied rights to privacy. The rapid expansion of the internet and social media has only intensified these challenges, creating a landscape with little guidance on where the lines are drawn.

We are still trying to navigate these complexities. I won't delve into how services like 23andMe share DNA information with law enforcement, as the ramifications of such practices are profound and still unfolding.

I liken this situation to introducing a new, supposedly "healthier" cigarette. How can we be sure it doesn’t damage our health even more than the original? Only time will reveal the true effects. If regulatory bodies had relied on limited data regarding traditional cigarettes, the prevalence of cancer and heart diseases would likely have seemed acceptable.

The same uncertainty applies to the data we share online. We still don’t fully understand the extent of what is being sold and to whom.

Therefore, it’s reasonable to exercise caution regarding our personal privacy. Consider this: if I took your photo, listed your personal details on an index card, and distributed them widely, would you be comfortable with that?

What if I removed your name and photo? Could someone piece together your identity from the remaining details? What if that information fell into the wrong hands?

These concerns raise numerous questions. Unfortunately, answers are often inconsistent and scattered.

Some individuals may find the convenience of technology worth the potential risks. I’m not claiming that the internet is entirely negative; I’m currently working on a piece about Wikipedia, which I view as a remarkable achievement in an information-saturated environment.

However, one must ask: how vital is it to see curated glimpses of someone else’s life? Is the trade-off of privacy justified? That’s a personal decision each must make.

At present, my online activities mainly revolve around Medium, Wikipedia, and the suite of Marriott websites for work. For now, I believe I’ll maintain this limited engagement. Perhaps I just don’t have faith in apps—at least not until they prove their worth.