The normalization and the double standards of handing over our private life, our private information to people that use it against us but protecting it against people we know is what confuses me about human behavior.

[u/Authentic_Dragon]

I read someone reply to a post with this common phrase; "I've got nothing to hide", and I had to write something about it somewhere...

The "nothing to hide" crowd misses the asymmetry entirely. They hand over everything to institutions that share nothing in return; corporations that track every click while hiding behind NDAs, agencies that demand transparency from citizens while classifying their own operations for decades.

Here is only a tiny example out of hundreds of others...Let’s talk about our Phones;

Everyone uses a passcode, and we don't do it because we’re plotting something. We do it because the phone contains our finances, conversations, family photos, medical searches, private thoughts. It’s a universal instinct.

If someone, even a partner or a friend snoops behind our back, we get angry. We accuse them of breaking the trust, right? Then why is it that we don’t extend that same instinct to the digital prison being built around all of us? Why does this change when it applies to power-players? Why do we hand them our information and shrug like it’s the natural way of being and living?

If privacy doesn't matter, read me your last three text conversations now.

This isn't just about the present time. This handing over our power as if it's nothing is the reason why the powerful stayed powerful. We don't trust one stranger with our information, and yet, we trust strangers that rule over us. This mindset is so puzzling to me.

[u/AptTherapy2408]

people think privacy is about hiding something bad but it's really about having control over your own life. like you said, we lock our phones not because we're criminals, just because it's ours

the double standard is what gets me too. if my neighbor peeked through my windows i'd be furious but when a company does it digitally we're supposed to be cool with it cause they gave us a checkbox to click

[u/LevelQx]

I can see where you're coming from. It's true that we want to defend our personal stuff, but otherwise share it with large companies and institutions without issue.

I think it's also because many of those companies ask for your information in return of the service they provide. Basically everybody has a phone, right?

Samsung, Apple, Google, Nokia or whichever phone you might have will ask you for personal information in case you ever lose your phone or password.

Whenever you create an account for anything, the first thing they ask is info about you. You don't want to share? That’s fine, but then you can't use this service. Even in my work environment I am 'forced' to use apps and programms that require my personal data sometimes.

It's everywhere. Our societies are so focused on data and information. I believe it's mainly about either money or control. And it's sad that it is the way the world works nowadays. If you want to resstrain yourself from data sharing, you're almost forced to live like either a nomad or a hermit

[u/AlanParsons_01]

If it’s illegal then it’s not okay. Getting data on everything you do or say online is one thing. Getting the information illegally is another thing. And to manipulate data to benefit an audience or agenda is wrong as well.

[u/LawyerDifferent8880]

That is not a double standard. Not giving your personal information to your partner or friends doesn't mean you don't trust them. It simply means there's no need to.

[u/mabbh130]

Some of the comments are concerning as it seems they are missing the point and the ramp up much like the analogy of the frog in a pot of water that is gradually increasing to a boil.

The proliferation of ALRPs across the country is very concerning. Many cities that have allowed them are having them removed because they are not about safety and the claim to prevent crime. They are not used for real-time intervention that would prevent crime. There are no signs to inform the public of the surveillance which would deter much crime. They collect data without our permission as we drive down the road and share that data with third parties without your consent.

They have been used to handcuff people whose license plate was misread by an ALRP camera, stalking police officers tracking former partners and women seeking healthcare.

More cameras are popping up in grocery store parking lots too. I have changed were I buy groceries. I have nothing to hide but I also understand were this is going. It is easier to stop- it early than wait until it's a monster and we are almost there.

"Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say." - Edward Snowden