“Why should I care?” is a question often asked when the concept of privacy is discussed. There are plenty of reasons to preserve your privacy. Before elaborating on this, some terms must be defined:

Privacy, anonymity, and security are seperate concepts from each other.

This post is about privacy. Not anonymity, nor security.

Privacy: When personal data is kept from prying eyes. Personal data as a term includes what you search up on the internet, or a video that you watched. Metadata sent to websites you visit. Its literal definition is keeping something (like a conversation only between you and somebody else) personal.

Security: In the internet context; A very simple example would be making a long, complex password for an account. Or encrypting data sent over a network (E2EE). Security and privacy are closely related, and the user has to keep a balance between both, and set reasonable standards for either to achieve the former or latter: You cannot stay private if you disregard security and vice versa.

Anonymity: The complete or near complete unavailability of any personally identifiable information; having a near zero identity or digital footprint. [1]. Most people do not require anonymity online, and it is difficult to achieve it.

Why Privacy

1. Privacy is a Human Right

Nobody deserves to be subjected to abuse towards one’s privacy, family, home, or honour. In order to stay safe from such violations of one’s rights, one must work to keep their digital footprint minimal.

2. Personal Data: the Renewing Goldmine of the Modern Age

Many corporations are probably profiting off of you using their services right now. Do not think “Eh, whatever, they can go ahead”, for this gained money can be, and has been, used against you or others.

For example, some big corporations, that profit heavily off of user data, donate to political figures like Donald Trump [2]. Leaving the questionable ethics [3] [4] of this political figure aside, a company of this sort should have no business in politics.

Or Google, who has just recently broken their promise not to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) for developing weapons and surveillance tools [5].

And Amazon, overworking their employees, and ignoring any wellbeing or financial security for them [6].

And these are a mere few examples, quite explanative of what’s going on in the brave new world.

3. “I Have Nothing to Hide”

This topic has been covered many times. Here is a proper article covering this topic specifically: [link].

In short, this way of thinking assumes trust in entities of authority, and authorities can be untrustworthy [7] [8].

With this distrust against authority in mind now, the fact that one does break the law (unintentionally or not) [9] can be uncovered. You have nothing to hide. You have nothing to show either.

4. “Can’t be Arsed”

With this mindset comes an interrogation of one’s intrinsic properties. Those who retain this train of thought can question: “Am I fulfilling my duties as an individual?”, or “Do I abide by my beliefs and ideologies?”:

The general answer is: No. One doesn’t thrive with inaction.

• Privacy