Privacy and the "Nothing To Hide" Argument

privacyprof writes "One of the most common responses of those unconcerned about government surveillance or privacy invasions is 'I've got nothing to hide.' According to the 'nothing to hide' argument, there is no threat to privacy unless the government uncovers unlawful activity, in which case a person has no legitimate justification to claim that it remain private. The 'nothing to hide' argument is quite prevalent. Is there a way to respond to this argument that would really register with people in the general public? In a short essay, 'I've Got Nothing to Hide' and Other Misunderstandings of Privacy, Professor Daniel Solove takes on the 'nothing to hide' argument and exposes its faulty underpinnings." At the base of the fallacy, as Bruce Schneier has noted, is the "faulty premise that privacy is about hiding a wrong."

Comments

It's hardly a "fallacy"

[Anonymous Coward]

The entire concept of privacy is based around concealing "wrongs"; that is to say, keeping from public view what would be embarrassing, damaging or otherwise socially unacceptable.

If this were not so, there would be no need for privacy.

The hard fact is, technology has already made the 20th-century concept of privacy obsolete; anyone who promotes it is clinging, Luddite-like, to an ancient ideal irrespective of reality and scientific advancement. When high-powered directional mics can discern from half a mile away conversations held inside unshielded brick buildings, is it your right to prohibit interception of your leaked signals?

Privacy is a responsibility... viewing it as a right only puts you at a disadvantage, reliant on the state to protect you against the inexorable tide of progress.

Simpliest answer?

[WindBourne]

When the feds are realizing that they are a capable of tapping ALL of us and then decide that they want a new capability: The ability to change the conversations/communication in real time. Now, everybody can be guilty. All because they did not stop the violations in the first place. This is going to happen in the EXACT same fashion that hitler took control; a bit at a time.