The Value of Privacy
Bruce Schneier has written a wonderful essay about the value of privacy for Americans. If you are worried about the state of affairs, with the lack of privacy these days, then this is a must read.
Last week, revelation of yet another NSA surveillance effort against the American people has rekindled the privacy debate. Those in favor of these programs have trotted out the same rhetorical question we hear every time privacy advocates oppose ID checks, video cameras, massive databases, data mining, and other wholesale surveillance measures: “If you aren’t doing anything wrong, what do you have to hide?”
Bruce’s scathing response to the final question in the above quote is what makes this an interesting read. After all, that is the argument that is thrown around in every direction when conversing about privacy related issues, such as the NSA wiretapping and whatnot.