This is the best thing I've ever found to explain why, a very short read:
https://whyprivacymatters.org/
It's such a perfect, short, to-the-point explanation.
Why Privacy?
You need to start looking for smarter friends.
Privacy is also more than just "I have done nothing wrong," because malicious actors can hurt you with information that is perfectly normal or reasonable to have. For example, researchers have revealed that Facebook tracks if you have problems with alcoholism or gambling, for example, and serves you more ads for alcohol products and casinos: https://www.admscentre.org.au/research-reveals-facebook-alcohol-and-gambling-companies-target-ads-at-australians-most-at-risk-of-harm/
Now maybe YOU don't have problems with alcohol or gambling, but what other innocent aspects of your life will corporations capitalize on, at your expense? If your Facebook app, with always-on location tracking, determines that you tend to drive over the speed limit, they can alert your car insurance company to raise your rates. If TikTok has always-on Bluetooth scanning (to connect to speakers), it will figure out who you live with, because it will detect their phone's Bluetooth MAC at regular times of day. If your roommate/child/spouse/whatever later goes to, say, a protest (or an abortion clinic, or whatever) and other phones with TikTok detect their phone's Bluetooth MAC, TikTok can now easily figure out their identity, where they live, and what their habits are.
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I have seen how innocent statements can be interpreted differently, and unintended meanings attached to them.
This can be terrifying, if it is then used against you.
It can happen in any adversarial proceeding, employer vs employee, law enforcement vs citizen, prosecutor vs defendant, and so on.
It’s much better if only the intended recipient(s) can ever see what we write, or say.
SimpleX looks better every day.
Watermelon That is really good....
This part is very strong: "Not all information in your control is yours to share. Information shared privately with you by friends, family, and coworkers is not yours to reveal to a government, company, or another person
... for instance I use ProtonMail - but since 90% of my emails go out to non-secured emails - then my content is being scanned anyway? I know other users who refuse to send emails outside a secured environment... I can force that issue in ProtonMail - but then 90% of that 90% just won't bother...
In my experience, changing people's beliefs is very hard. People will believe what they want to believe, regardless of what you say or how you say it. Making arguments about what another person "should" or "should not" do usually has the opposite effect.
I don't bring it up anymore and I don't use the word "privacy". If directly asked why I don't use Meta's services, I'll say:
I think making money by exploiting people is unethical and I want fewer companies with those business models in the world. I prefer to use software and services that respect me.
That's the entire reason; you can agree with it or not, but that's why.
Equal2024 In my experience, changing people's beliefs is very hard
Yes - it IS.
I've been pushing the privacy issue with a friend mostly to help him understand why privacy is important to me - and perhaps help change his judgement that the xtra work I put in to being private IS worthwhile (for me).
He couldn't believe I don't use ChatGPT - and that any privacy related concerns are mitigated by the value I get.
Now though - I informed him about venice.ai and use it as an example where you CAN be more private and not give up much functionality...
Equal2024 I think making money by exploiting people is unethical and I want fewer companies with those business models in the world. I prefer to use software and services that respect me.
... even more-so I don't use Meta because not only are they exploiting people for money - but they are using people's private data to keep them mis-informed (at best)...
"I am not doing anything wrong so why do I care about privacy?"
Because "wrong" is defined arbitrarily. A lot of people want me dead for existing, so I have to protect myself in some capacity.
I started because of financial security, starting with news about some notable data breaches. I also learned too much about how most financial institutions handle security, which got me to realize I cannot rely solely on their guidance and instructions. I figured the next best way to prevent unauthorized access is to make it so as few people try to access my accounts as possible. The best way I figured to do that was to embrace online privacy and decentralize/anonymize myself as much as possible so that financial/professional me is not connected to online versions of me to avoid any sensitive info being shared during eventual data breaches.
After years of this, I became more fascinated in general by privacy in general, both because of the creepy factor and because I despise censorship. I believe privacy and freedom of speech go hand in hand.
Lastly, this may sound dark, but I have a thing about not wanting to be on lists. Being on a list is what helped the nazis track down and eventually exterminate Jews during the Holocaust. That lesson from history stuck with me. Anything that is fine here and today could lead to extreme suffering or unexpected consequences tomorrow or somewhere else. Privacy is the common sense hedge against that uncertainty.
DirtyDan Lastly, this may sound dark, but I have a thing about not wanting to be on lists.
Not dark at all - very very valid point. And it applies to ANY list even the only-annoying marketing lists. The more dangerous lists are the historical ones you mentioned. Currently governments (and yes - the U.S. is one of the worst for this) - are tracking who is protesting, what, where and when...
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Lots of great advice and tips here... the recommended videos were excellent and helpful. I've pretty much narrowed down the main issues to:
While you don't feel you are doing anything wrong - by not being private you are allowing others to determine that you ARE doing something wrong and respond accordingly
Everything you see online is being forced upon you based on your online history.
--- You have lost any semblance of information 'freedom', as well as any ability to make informed non-biased and factual decisions
--- The price you pay for goods and services are adjusted (not in a good way)Being private online is not about hiding secrets; it's about maintaining control over your digital presence and protecting yourself from potential risks associated with sharing sensitive information in a public space
--- If you believe you have nothing to hide - and that you don't need to practice online privacy - then please hand your unlocked phone to any stranger passing by to do what they want with it for 24 hours
--- Note: handing your unlocked phone to a stranger is likely safer than not protecting your online privacy (those companies taking your data know exactly what to do with it).Your physical safety is at risk.
--- Those wishing you harm are able to target you, know when you aren't home and where you will be at any point in time.While YOU may not care about your privacy - everyone you are communicating with (while not practicing privacy) is making them non-private. Every other person you touch online is impacted by your lack of safeguards.
lcalamar "I am not doing anything wrong so why do I care about privacy?"
In our hyper bureaucratic systems, chances are pretty high we're doing something wrong every other day.
We still send, including the government, closed envelope letters in the mail and it's a crime to violate others' correspondence. Why should it be any different in the digital place?
Just look at the AI limitations the EU just put in place (with some law enforcement exceptions of course) to get a picture of what is possible with AI right now. How people actually use it in the foreground, to ask random questions, is not really an issue when using private alternatives, so I wouldn't say people shouldn't use the tools that make life easier on the surface. People value convenience very highly, and as we know we always sacrifice convenience for privacy.. it's a tough sell.
lcalamar Lots more detail could go into any one of these points - but if I'm missing any major points then please add on!
I've editted the list be copying it into this reply as I am not able to edit that list any other way now... :(
While you don't feel you are doing anything wrong - by not being private you are allowing others to determine that you ARE doing something wrong and respond accordingly
--- The word "Wrong' is arbitrary whereas it can be redefined based on intent.
----- and you have lost the ability to 'make your case' as it has been made without you.Your 'profile' can and will be used to target you.
--- Something that seems harmless today may not be so harmless in the future. Things like your medical history, political leanings, work history, religious beliefs, purchase history, travel, etc... The reality is all of this data is available to make decisions on how to treat you.Everything you see online is being forced upon you based on your online history.
--- You have lost any semblance of information 'freedom', as well as any ability to make informed non-biased and factual decisions
--- The price you pay for goods and services are adjusted (not in a good way)Being private online is not about hiding secrets; it's about maintaining control over your digital presence and protecting yourself from potential risks associated with sharing sensitive information in a public space
--- If you believe you have nothing to hide - and that you don't need to practice online privacy - then please hand your unlocked phone to any stranger passing by to do what they want with it for 24 hours
--- Note: handing your unlocked phone to a stranger is likely safer than not protecting your online privacy (those companies taking your data know exactly what to do with it).Your physical safety is at risk.
--- Those wishing you harm are able to target you, know when you aren't home and where you will be at any point in time.While YOU may not care about your privacy - everyone you are communicating with (while not practicing privacy) is making them non-private. Every other person you touch online is impacted by your lack of safeguards.
Law enforcement scares me the most.
"We have to look at everyone's texts, in order to make sure they aren't committing a crime." coupled with "All you have to do is prove your innocence, and you can be on your way."