Comments on: On the importance of privacy

by: shrevz

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 20:12:10 +0000

Part of the problem is that it is hard for most people to think rationally about unlikely outcomes - otherwise there would be no insurance scams, no casinos and no lottery. Not to mention that terrorism wouldn’t impress anybody…

I usually go for the argument that loss of privacy means that your business is everybody else’s conversation topic. It is the means for applying “peer pressure” and forcing people to conform. Most of us had a difficult time with peer pressure in our teens, so people understand that it isn’t a good idea.

Still - Xavier’s argument is good. The “mistaken indentity” examples are scary.

by: Xavier Ashe

Mon, 11 Jul 2005 22:27:47 +0000

There was a good article in some magazine that I can’t remember the name of. It profiles several instances of incorrect data and the problems it caused. One guy got locked up because he had the same name and birth date of an escaped felon. The problem was when background information got mixed and the bad guy’s credit showed up on his credit report.

So I always go with the argument, what happens when they data gatherers are wrong? Everyone that I have spoken too has no problem with the No Fly list, except if their name was on it. I have an ex coworker that has to carry a pound worth of paperwork every time he flies to prove he is not the terrorist they want. He takes the train alot….

by: Saar Drimer

Mon, 11 Jul 2005 17:12:32 +0000

I also find it difficult to explain this to people without seeming overly paranoid.
My suggestion for you is to go google and look up “identity theft.” Many horror stories will present themselves to you. Forward these to your friends and make them promise to read them.
The media has perfected the art of fear mongering, there is really no reason to try and compete.