The general belief today is that our right to privacy is an illusion – something seemingly sacred, but in reality, non-existent. Individuals living in today’s world are powerless in protecting their right to privacy. It is widely known and possibly accepted, that in order to coexist in a safe and efficient society, we have to give up information about ourselves and our lives for reasons such as convenience. Sometimes, people even share their private lives willingly for the pleasure or benefit of others. However, it may be argued that by becoming more aware of how systems operate in society around them, individuals can indeed try to protect their right to privacy, albeit to a small extent.
One of the most commonly cited reasons for an invasion of privacy is that it is a sacrifice made in the pursuit of a larger goal, that is, national security. In the name of national security, government agents or other parties involved justify their acts of digging into our most private lives – telephone conversations and emails. In certain institutions, security cameras watch our every move and breathe. More commonly around the world, security officials in airports are permitted to rummage through passengers’ bags and personal belongings. Since such acts of invasion of privacy are
often state-warranted and hence legal, it can be argued that the individual is powerless to protect himself against them. From another point of view, these security measures may not be seen as a threat to an individual’s right to privacy since the information that governments aim to gather – political inclinations, terrorist connections, plans for acts of violence or rebellion – is not the typical information an average individual would be seeking to keep private. From this perspective, there would be no clash of interests between the government and citizens where privacy is concerned.
Often times in today’s world, an individual gives up his right to privacy without even being aware of doing so. For example, filling out a form asking for our personal particulars inadvertently leads to information about ourselves that can be used or abused. When this happens, it can be said that the individual is powerless in protecting his right to privacy because if he does not know something is happening, how can he fight it? In the fast-paced world where information can be transferred in the blink of an eye, corporations are cashing in on opportunities to trade information for money or even for more information. For example, it is common for banks to exchange credit card client information. This results in the barrage of targeted advertising that may even seem impressive. The solution is simple: people should educate themselves about how information that they give up about themselves can and will be used by organizations. Then, they can think twice before signing-up for freebies or participating in a contest. The reality is that private information has become a bargaining chip, a negotiation tool that is exchanged for the worldly conveniences that we so desire such as access to games, news and even movies.
While examining how powerless an individual is in protecting his right to privacy, it would be prudent to also examine how much an individual today wants that power. Does the majority of the world today really seek to protect their privacy? The general consensus is, no. If an individual is not seeking to protect his privacy in the first place, it is no wonder that he finds himself powerless and justifiably so.
In order to conform and to exist as a good citizen in a civilized society, an individual has to surrender some of his right to privacy to the government. Assuming the government is benevolent, information gathered would be justly used for the greater good. Any further divulgence of information to other sources is done at the choice of an informed individual. Therefore, while one can concede that the individual today is powerless in protecting his right to privacy, it is also prudent also acknowledge that he is not entirely powerless in making the decision to give up some of that power.
