The Privacy Journey: Why We All Hit the Wall
Ever felt like you're running a privacy marathon, only to suddenly slam into a wall you didn't see coming? If so, you're not alone.
In privacy communities, it's a familiar story: someone hits their wall—that moment of frustration that makes them want to give up entirely. Those of us who have been there completely understand the feeling. We also know the reasons behind that frustration and the rewards that come with pushing through. Let's explore the common path many people take.
The Beginning
People often start their privacy journey for a variety of reasons. Maybe it's a headline about a massive data breach, or they've noticed targeted ads that feel a little too personal. Perhaps they searched for their name and found their details scattered across countless people-search sites. Or maybe they simply want to reclaim the privacy they remember from their pre-internet days. Whatever the spark, they find themselves on a path of research and action.
They read countless articles, watch all of the awesome NBTV videos, and make significant changes to their digital habits. Things are going great until, suddenly, they hit the wall. They feel helpless, frustrated, or just plain exhausted. So, what exactly leads to this feeling?
The Privacy Nihilist
Everyone on their privacy journey has run into the privacy nihilist—someone who reveals their underlying mindset with phrases such as:
- "Privacy is dead."
- "You're just being paranoid."
- "What do I care? They already know everything about me anyway."
- "It's just for ads. It's not a big deal."
- "If you're doing nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide/fear."
- "The convenience is worth it."
- "I'm not important enough for anyone to care about my data."
- "So what if they see my photos?"
- And so on.
These phrases show that the "wall" isn't just a technical challenge, but a psychological one—a clash with a mindset that has either accepted the status quo, is unaware of the full scope of the problem, or believes the benefits outweigh the costs. It's especially frustrating when this comes from those you trust the most, such as friends, loved ones, and even public figures. This endless drone tends to wear on a person.
Here's the thing: even the smallest amount of research lays waste to all of these claims. When you point this out, however, there's often a tremendous amount of resistance. What's the best way to handle it? Remember to "run your own race"—it's your journey, and you have to do what's best for your own goals.
Trying to "Boil the Ocean"
When someone starts their privacy journey, they tend to want to do everything at once, and that can quickly become frustrating. It's akin to a home cook watching a professional chef prepare a single recipe, then deciding to cook an entire holiday dinner on their own for the first time. Jumping into the deep end of the pool on any topic will likely lead to regret. As we discussed in our "New to Privacy? Don't Boil the Ocean." post, this is a journey best taken one step at a time.
When we realize we're battling for digital privacy on multiple fronts and have limited resources of time or knowledge, we can only address one or two issues at a time. Even seasoned professionals make a list of tasks to ensure they are done correctly before moving on to the next. This approach helps everyone on their journey, as with each step, more knowledge and skills are gained.
Lack of Immediate Gratification
A conversation may start with, "I switched to a privacy browser, but..." and thirty minutes later they don't feel they've gained any benefits. Well, let's be honest with ourselves—we've spent decades putting data into the system, so it will take some time to regain that lost ground.
Digital privacy is often an intangible benefit that doesn't provide immediate feedback. Unlike putting something in the microwave, ordering online, switching to a faster computer, or getting a more comfortable chair, using privacy tools might not have obvious benefits in the short term. This lack of immediate gratification can make it harder for people to maintain their privacy habits.
Similar to the "boiling the ocean" problem, it's the small, consistent steps over time that will provide the greatest dividends. Just like with exercise, tangible results take time to appear.
Doubt and Detractors
Following the digital privacy path requires a certain amount of intentionality. Constantly thinking about one's online activities and their implications can be mentally exhausting until they become second nature. But then you may hear or read something derogatory about a product you've selected, or see a major kerfuffle on social media, and you instantly wonder if you've made a mistake.
Perhaps you've selected a set of privacy tools that meet your needs, but someone says that if you don't follow their twenty-step Rube Goldberg path for the "ultimate privacy," then you shouldn't have even started and obviously don't care about privacy to begin with.
It doesn't take much of that talk to quickly convince someone they've made a mistake even trying. You haven't! Everyone has their own needs, and you've made the right choice for you. The tools and practices you follow are right for you. Again, someone is trying to run your race for you, but only you can do it.
If there is honestly something wrong with a tool or vendor, such as them suffering a major breach or instituting a policy that's antithetical to privacy, continue with what works for you and stay informed.
Government Policies
This is one of the biggest mental hurdles to deal with. It can quickly make one wonder what the point is: your own government invading your privacy! From the UK asking Apple to provide a backdoor to their encryption to the EU's Chat Control being on the table again, to digital currencies that can track your every purchase and movement, it can feel like you're dealing with the ultimate power. The policies are often wrapped in altruistic slogans of "protecting the children" or "fighting crime," but the point everyone seems to forget is that government itself employs many of the same end-to-end encryption approaches to protect their own data. They exclude the politicians from the policies because it is so effective in protecting what's important.
We can only encourage everyone to learn and understand what the proposed policies are about and make their voices peacefully heard at the highest levels. Vote for those that represent your values. Remember, they're elected officials that are supposed to represent your interests.
Find Like-Minded People
It can feel like you're on the digital privacy journey alone. Nothing could be further from the truth! Not only is there a growing sector of privacy-focused tools, but users as well. The global privacy-enhancing technologies market is projected to reach over $12 billion by 2030. You're not the only one who values your privacy, and finding a group of like-minded individuals can provide support and guidance on your journey. We've all been there and it can be very frustrating, but the journey can be equally rewarding. Find the path that's right for you and follow it!
Remember, we may not have anything to hide, but everything to protect.
