Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

"I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

docs.google.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 83 posts

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#61

Post by martinced »

hooande wrote: post #28

Let me try to present the other side of this argument in a way that doesn't sound crazy: When one of your people dies, it really hurts. If you were the one in charge of guaranteeing the safety of that person, its a failure much deeper and more profound than the worst startup company failure. Most people will be willing to do anything to prevent the loss of another life on their watch. The monitoring of communications…

To me it does sound totally crazy.

"I'd rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave"

Giving up your essential liberty etc.

I'm amongst those who would die defending freedom.

You listing the act of a very few number of terrorist incidents just shows how much state propaganda has melted your brain.

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#62

Post by martinced »

munin wrote: post #16

there's something that frustrates me about arguments like this. I think that technology is inescapably taking us towards a future where anyone and everyone can record everything that any individual does, perpetually, and at arbitrary scale. In many ways we are already there, especially in certain domains (gmail, facebook, cell phones, creep shots, etc). It sounds pessimistic to say "this is inevitable" and I'm sure m…

You definitely want to read David Brin's: "The transparent society" : )

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#63

Post by slowpoke »

Kiro wrote: post #59
cavilling_elite wrote: post #5

He has a book out: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0300172311 Giving to my father for Christmas. He is in the "nothing to hide" camp.

I'm also in that camp and certainly hope no-one gives me that (or any other political propaganda) for Christmas. Why can't you just accept your father's opinion instead?

The bad thing about the "nothing to hide" camp usually isn't their opinion that they themselves have nothing to hide, but the fact that the majority of these people seem to want to force this opinion on the rest of society. Fine, live your rose-colored post-privacy life. But leave me the fuck out of it. I have things to hide. Everyone has. You included.

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#64

Post by Kiro »

slowpoke wrote: post #63
Kiro wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm also in that camp and certainly hope no-one gives me that (or any other political propaganda) for Christmas. Why can't you just accept your father's opinion instead?

The bad thing about the "nothing to hide" camp usually isn't their opinion that they themselves have nothing to hide, but the fact that the majority of these people seem to want to force this opinion on the rest of society. Fine, live your rose-colored post-privacy life. But leave me the fuck out of it . I have things to hide. Everyone has. You included.

You're exaggerating.

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#65

Post by thirdtruck »

Kiro wrote: post #64
slowpoke wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The bad thing about the "nothing to hide" camp usually isn't their opinion that they themselves have nothing to hide, but the fact that the majority of these people seem to want to force this opinion on the rest of society. Fine, live your rose-colored post-privacy life. But leave me the fuck out of it . I have things to hide. Everyone has. You included.

You're exaggerating.

We look forward to seeing all of your account passwords posted in the next comment, then. I would recommend starting with your Hacker News account.

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#66

Post by thirdtruck »

I haven't quite figured out how the hyperbolic "I've got nothing to hide" gets past the issue of account passwords.

Even if we assume a new "real name only" global system of online identities, that would still require that false testimony or simple errors never get attached to such identities.

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#67

Post by cavilling_elite »

01Michael10 wrote: post #21
cavilling_elite wrote: post #5

He has a book out: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0300172311 Giving to my father for Christmas. He is in the "nothing to hide" camp.

I hope the posting of a mobile link is not a new trend. Here is the Amazon link of the book for people who prefer to view the Internet on screens larger then 4"... http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Hide-Tradeoff-between-Security...

Sorry, I was on mobile, I thought it automatically jumped to the full site.

Re: "I've got nothing to hide" and other misunderstandings of privacy

#68

Post by cavilling_elite »

Kiro wrote: post #59
cavilling_elite wrote: post #5

He has a book out: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0300172311 Giving to my father for Christmas. He is in the "nothing to hide" camp.

I'm also in that camp and certainly hope no-one gives me that (or any other political propaganda) for Christmas. Why can't you just accept your father's opinion instead?

Mostly because I know his opinion is based only on the "other sides" "political propaganda". And he probably wouldn't appreciate it, but it is always a good thing to read and educate yourself on the opposing view. If anything, to increase your resolve and have better points to argue your position.

Personally his opinion worries me. He claimed there was no reason for encryption in communication unless you are doing something "bad".

Post reply on HN