To be clear, I don’t subscribe to the idea of “Nothing to Hide.” It’s a bullshit argument. The reason why I’m asking this is because I want to be able to explain why it’s bullshit. I don’t like the fact that many people, including ones in my family, are willing giving up their right to privacy simply because they’ve become accustomed to convenience that modern technology has afforded them. I, myself, have been guilty of these but I’m actively taking steps to take back my privacy and potentially help others as well.
Bonus question: Many people will retort with things “Do you want criminals walking our streets?” or bring up an anecdote about how Flock, Ring or any other surveillance companies’ cameras helped solve a crime or found a missing person. Flock themselves have a blog post series called #SolvedStories where they list so-called “success stories” about their cameras solving a case. Of course, I don’t want criminals walking our streets and, sure, those stories might pull my heartstrings but what’s the bigger picture?
Everybody has something to hide. You don’t publish all your mail, you have a door to your bathroom, or even doors in general. You have blinds on your windows. People need privacy, an area that can be hidden without reprimand and that each individual controls. If you say you have nothing to hide, you are wrong. If you give up your right to privacy, you leave yourself open to blackmail, wrongful accusations, random searches, in short a terrible life. It’d be like living in prison every day for the rest of your life.
And it’s up to each person to decide what they want private, for any reason they like.
I’ve never been concerned about people who close their blinds, but I’m very concerned about people who feel they have a right to peek through them.