Privacy: Risking Extinction

 

Privacy, it seems, is a luxury that we can no longer afford in a world where terror and extremism are on the rise. At least that is what governments claim as they seek free license to spy on our lives. Although different countries impose different level of intrusion (see chart), clearly privacy in under threat everywhere. Technology has also made their task easier with the invasion of cameras, wiretapping tools and satellites that are taking snapshots of our lives continuously. Surveys show that people in general are willing to trade some privacy for security but while the world is increasingly a less private place, there is no  evidence that paying such a high price is making our lives any safer. Privacy is a vital freedom under threat and in order to safeguard it  from extinction we would do well to embrace Jefferson’s insight as it called eternal vigilance the price of liberty.