Privacy: Importance and Expectations

[Volki]

I'll just sit here and wait for the revolution.

[LigH]

Don't you know? Talking about the revolution sounds like a whisper

[Rigwyn]

It should be interesting to see what comes up as a result of this. Communication over existing lines has been compromised and encryption is just a step away from being criminalized. Nobody can promise secure communication. If people want secure and confidential communication, they will need an entirely new medium.

Perhaps one day we'll have some sort of communication based on quantum entanglement - if that's even possible.

[Rigwyn]

This is getting ridiculous.

US and UK spy agencies defeat privacy and security on the internet
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security

[Volki]

Obviously people are getting angry. Why don't they do anything?

I propose a new term: "learned apathy". To describe the century.

[Rigwyn]

I think most folks just don't understand the importance of privacy. It's not immediately obvious. Its one of those things you need to really think about. Many people I've spoken to respond with statements like, "I'm not guilty of anything, they can look at whatever they want." It's this "privacy is for criminals" mentality.

Even Obama came out and said something to the effect of, "If you are not hiding anything, you have nothing to worry about." ( Sorry, I don't have the quote at the moment. ) Would he have applied the same logic to the three letter orgs who love and protect their privacy? I think not.

[bloodedIrishman]

That line of logic "If you have nothing to hide, you have have nothing worry about" is the explanation of a servant and the justification of a master, to be sure. I have the right to hide, if I so choose. Moreover, the claim implies the searchers have perfect knowledge, will and execution of justice. They do not.

Thanks for the fresh link Rigmeister.

[Ylaine]

I value my privacy. It's a valuable good to have in times of internet and social media. I don't want anyone to keep records of my e-mails, visited sites and so on, though I am aware of the fact that exactly this is happening. Like others, since there isn't much I can do about it, I'm careful of what I say online. It shouldn't have to be that way.
I'm Swiss, and most of the people here share my opinion and can't understand how people can say stuff like "If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear" or "All this surveillance is a good thing, it increases security."
Privacy against security... does it really have to be that way?

[LigH]

Fresh links, bloody? Okay: Bruce Schneier goes paranoid. For those who might not yet know: Bruce Schneier is "teh Guru" of cryptography and IT security.

[bloodedIrishman]

Oh snap, LigH. Nice links sunny.

[Gilrond]

Stuff already came out of this. Lavabit closed down. More stuff like this is to be expected. Digitial business will move away from US.

Thanks for the link LigH. I read Bruce Schneier's blog regularly: https://www.schneier.com but this article isn't there yet.

[LigH]

Why did the absolute NSA surveillance not prevent the Nairobi mall terror? ... There is no reason for absolute surveillance.

[bilbous]

There are no snakes here!

[Rigwyn]

Why did the absolute NSA surveillance not prevent the Nairobi mall terror? ... There is no reason for absolute surveillance.

I really don't think they are concerned about stopping all crimes - just those few that are on their agenda. I've often wondered why they aren't working with US companies to help BLOCK external attacks *cough* as opposed to trying to introduce backdoors and vulnerabilities  *cough*  . My guess is that they prefer to just stand there and let shit happen - then cherry pick the cases they wish to focus on.