Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Data Retention Proven to Change Citizen Behavior

Posted by samzenpus on from the I-always-feel-like-somebody's-watching-me dept.

G'Quann writes "A new survey shows that data retention laws indeed do influence the behavior of citizens (at least in Germany). 11% had already abstained from using phone, cell phone or e-mail in certain occasions and 52% would not use phone or e-mail for confidential contacts. This is the perfect argument against the standard 'I have nothing to hide' argumentation. Surveillance is not only bad because someone might discover some embarrassment. It changes people. 11% at least."

1 of 261 comments (clear)

  1. Hawthorne by porcupine8 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Behavior changes when people are observed? Psychologists have known this for years. It's called the Hawthorne effect, and it's something you always have to watch for when studying behavior.

    --
    Warning: Apple/Nintendo fangirl. Likes her electronics cute & cuddly. May be rabid.