Privacy and the "Nothing To Hide" Argument 728
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."
OK... (Score:2, Funny)
new definition of "short essay" (Score:3, Funny)
Proper response? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:OK... (Score:2, Funny)
whatever (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Wired: The Eternal Value of Privacy (Score:5, Funny)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to catch up on Big Brother
Re:Proper response? (Score:2, Funny)
If you've got nothing to hide... (Score:5, Funny)
If you've got nothing to hide, then you won't mind taking off your clothes for me.
Don't know about how well it works in a realm of debate and discourse, but so far it hasn't gotten me anything but slapped in the singles bars.
Privacy and the Bush Administration (Score:5, Funny)
Therefor the Bush Administration's refusal to allow staffers to testify to congress regarding the Justice Department purge proves that they do have something to hide.
Re:It's hardly a "fallacy" (Score:5, Funny)
Like fucking, for instance. Everyone knows that fucking is wrong, yet we keep doing it. We damned sure don't want our children to know about fucking; and we do what we can to conceal it from them. We ought to plant cameras in everyone's homes to make sure that they don't fuck. All these fucking people should be shot --- evil, sinning bastards.
There's a difference (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Wired: The Eternal Value of Privacy (Score:5, Funny)
01 The number 1
02 The number 2
03 The number 3
04 The number 4
05 I eat babies
06 The number 6
Oh shit..
Re:Wired: The Eternal Value of Privacy (Score:5, Funny)
>> - Cardinal Richelieu
>
> He doesn't even define line length, so we'll assume length is unimportant:
>
> 01 The number 1
> 02 The number 2
> 03 The number 3
> 04 The number 4
> 05 I eat babies
> 06 The number 6
>
> Oh shit..
See? He uses a programming language with line numbers. Hangin's too good for 'im! But at least he kept his line length below 80 colum--oh shit.
Re:Wired: Emaculate Election (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It's hardly a "fallacy" (Score:4, Funny)
Big Brother loves you... (Score:3, Funny)
Doubleplusgood duckspeaking:
* WAR IS PEACE
* FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
* IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
And now for something completely different: Big brother comedy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYQKDqjCEBQ [youtube.com]
Re:Wired: The Eternal Value of Privacy (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Wired: The Eternal Value of Privacy (Score:5, Funny)
I am a scumbag, you insensitive clod!
Re:Every bit collected makes you closer to jail (Score:3, Funny)
Although you make some valid points, remember your audience - you're talking to Slashdot here. If there haven't been any, it's easy to be sure of their ages.