Privacy is a thing of the past. [...] Loss of privacy is inevitable - you can not prevent it.
I disagree.
Yes, modern society seriously encourages one to give up personal information in exchange for convenience and certain services. That doesn't mean it's required to live in today's world.
For example, in exchange for the benefits my credit card provides (one bill every month, no need to carry cash, various consumer protections, etc.), the bank gets to know how much I spend and where. That's reasonable, as they need to account for my purchases to know how much to bill me.
If I were paid entirely in cash and made all my purchases with cash or money orders (which don't require identification to get one), this would not be a concern. However, in my case, I feel that the convenience of a bank account and credit card outweigh the drawbacks.
On the other hand, the local barbershop requires a name and telephone number from each customer to be entered into their computer records. Supposedly this is to provide "better service". I refuse to provide either, which occasionally confuses the staff (some have said "Yeah, I'd do the same thing too. It's silly, but I have to ask."). Usually they'll just pick some random customer's name from the list and use that, or I'll give them the name "Thomas Jefferson" and the number for directory assistance (xxx-555-1212, where xxx is the area code). There's no legitimate reason for my barbershop to require personal information just to cut my hair.
If I really didn't want my cell phone number getting out, I wouldn't be an IDIOT and put it on the internet.
Exactly. By posting information to a friends-only LJ post or Facebook profile, others can read it. Those others can then disseminate the information that you might not authorize -- similarly, if one sends another person an email, the recipient can then forward it on to anyone else without the original sender knowing.
.....
So why are people still paranoid about privacy and piracy?
Because great harm can come from a misuse of personal information. I have an expectation of privacy that my bank will secure my personal information to prevent it's inappropriate use in accordance with their policies, the law, and my choices (one can elect to not have banking information shared with third parties, except as permitted or required by law).
If my banking information were to be misused, I could suffer significant financial losses.
I trust the DMV to maintain the record of the title/ownership of my car (I, of course, have the document too). If that information were to be misused or inappropriately modified, I could stand to lose my car.
I trust the ATF to maintain the record of the ownership of my silencer (again, I also have my records, as is required by law). If that information were lost or modified, I could stand to go to jail and have huge fines levied against me.
.....
People generally don't mind giving up personal information in exchange for valuable services. For example: - The bank needs my name, address, and other information so they can send me a bill. They need to keep records of my transactions so they can send me a bill for the correct amount. - My doctor needs to know my medical history, symptoms, allergies, and other information so they can accurately make a diagnosis of an illness or injury and perform other medical treatment.
Based on my experience at the barbershop, most people have no problem with giving up information in order to get a haircut. Then again, I think most people are idiots.
I don't have a problem with giving up appropriate information in exchange for certain services (bank, doctor, etc.), but do have a problem with giving up personal information to the barber, telephone surveyors, etc.
Why? Because it's none of their damn business. They have no legitimate need for that information -- they can give me a haircut just fine without knowing my name or phone number.
I disagree.
Yes, modern society seriously encourages one to give up personal information in exchange for convenience and certain services. That doesn't mean it's required to live in today's world.
For example, in exchange for the benefits my credit card provides (one bill every month, no need to carry cash, various consumer protections, etc.), the bank gets to know how much I spend and where. That's reasonable, as they need to account for my purchases to know how much to bill me.
If I were paid entirely in cash and made all my purchases with cash or money orders (which don't require identification to get one), this would not be a concern. However, in my case, I feel that the convenience of a bank account and credit card outweigh the drawbacks.
On the other hand, the local barbershop requires a name and telephone number from each customer to be entered into their computer records. Supposedly this is to provide "better service". I refuse to provide either, which occasionally confuses the staff (some have said "Yeah, I'd do the same thing too. It's silly, but I have to ask."). Usually they'll just pick some random customer's name from the list and use that, or I'll give them the name "Thomas Jefferson" and the number for directory assistance (xxx-555-1212, where xxx is the area code). There's no legitimate reason for my barbershop to require personal information just to cut my hair.
If I really didn't want my cell phone number getting out, I wouldn't be an IDIOT and put it on the internet.
Exactly. By posting information to a friends-only LJ post or Facebook profile, others can read it. Those others can then disseminate the information that you might not authorize -- similarly, if one sends another person an email, the recipient can then forward it on to anyone else without the original sender knowing.
.....
So why are people still paranoid about privacy and piracy?
Because great harm can come from a misuse of personal information. I have an expectation of privacy that my bank will secure my personal information to prevent it's inappropriate use in accordance with their policies, the law, and my choices (one can elect to not have banking information shared with third parties, except as permitted or required by law).
If my banking information were to be misused, I could suffer significant financial losses.
I trust the DMV to maintain the record of the title/ownership of my car (I, of course, have the document too). If that information were to be misused or inappropriately modified, I could stand to lose my car.
I trust the ATF to maintain the record of the ownership of my silencer (again, I also have my records, as is required by law). If that information were lost or modified, I could stand to go to jail and have huge fines levied against me.
.....
People generally don't mind giving up personal information in exchange for valuable services. For example:
- The bank needs my name, address, and other information so they can send me a bill. They need to keep records of my transactions so they can send me a bill for the correct amount.
- My doctor needs to know my medical history, symptoms, allergies, and other information so they can accurately make a diagnosis of an illness or injury and perform other medical treatment.
Based on my experience at the barbershop, most people have no problem with giving up information in order to get a haircut. Then again, I think most people are idiots.
I don't have a problem with giving up appropriate information in exchange for certain services (bank, doctor, etc.), but do have a problem with giving up personal information to the barber, telephone surveyors, etc.
Why? Because it's none of their damn business. They have no legitimate need for that information -- they can give me a haircut just fine without knowing my name or phone number.
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