When Privacy Was The Default
Loud, gas hungry cars. Limited mobility because of high gas prices. The best music (I know, every generation says that). Wild clothes with lots of colors and denim. The most advanced technology we had access to was a car radio with AM, FM, and a cassette player. Ah, my misspent youth!
Growing up well before everything was online and constantly being shared, we had the luxury keeping our dumbest decisions our little secrets. Our daily movements weren't tracked. Neither were our purchases. Or a log kept of those we hung out with. No one was snapping photos of our awkward teenage moments (no such thing as a smartphone) or broadcasting our every thought on social media (it didn't exist!). By default, we could enjoy our lives in total privacy. Ah, the good old days!
When I bring up digital privacy, I often get the same reaction: "What are you trying to hide?!" It's funny because back in the day, privacy was just a given.
But seriously, when people say "what have you got to hide?", they're often implying that you're being overly paranoid. Let's be real, though. It's not about hiding; it's about protecting what's yours.
Now, I get why some folks push back on privacy concerns. Maybe they think if you're not doing anything wrong, you shouldn't care. Or perhaps they're worried about being seen as paranoid. And honestly, many of us don't fully grasp how much data is being collected and how it's used. Plus, convenience is king, right? Who wants to give up the perks of free apps, social media, or online shopping?
But here's the thing: digital privacy is crucial. It's about having control over your own information, owning your own story, protecting yourself from identity theft, avoiding those creepy targeted ads, and keeping your online and offline life secure.
I mean, think about it. Have you ever gotten an ad that's just a little too spot-on? That's not magic; that's your data at work. And let's be honest: if it were a human that had you under constant, covert surveillance, collecting an unbelievable amount of data on you, you'd get a restraining order!
For me, privacy isn't about secrecy; it's about shielding my digital space and my actual life too. So, if you're someone who values your privacy, don't let the naysayers get to you. You're not paranoid; you're smart.
And if you want to learn more about how to protect your digital life, follow me. Let's keep our data safe together.
Remember, we might not have anything to hide, but we have everything to protect.
