This is Carissa Véliz’s second TED Talk. It was filmed in March but only published yesterday.
In this presentation, Carissa goes into very specific examples of how privacy can change your life, which is something Em from PG discussed in her article Privacy Means Safety.
She brings up a historical example that she had mentioned in her book Privacy is Power, namely that during WW II, France was able to save more Jews (75%) from Nazi capture than the Netherlands (25%), because they did not have detailed records about their citizen in their registry. In other words, the records France had on its citizens did not mention their religion.
Two powerful statements that she makes are:
Technology is not neutral.
and
To digitize is to surveil.
Although she doesn’t name it explicitly, these statements indicate to me that she is against digital ID. Carissa is a citizen of Spain, Mexico, and the UK where she is based, and where the Labour government of Keir Starmer is trying to impose digital ID.
This is an insightful talk that I encourage you to watch and share with as many people as you can. I want to thank Carey Parker from Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons for alerting me to it.
I’m also linking to Carissa’s first TED Talk from 4 years ago because it is criminally underrated with only 4K views.
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The Importance of Privacy
- Privacy is crucial as it safeguards individuals from potential abuses of power by institutions and authorities.
- The existence of democracy is fundamentally linked to the concept of privacy; without it, democracy cannot thrive.
- Privacy can save lives in various ways, highlighting its significance in both personal and societal contexts.
Historical Context of Privacy and Power Abuse
- The Nazis utilized registry data to locate Jewish individuals during their invasion, demonstrating how personal data can be weaponized.
- In 1943, a resistance group in Amsterdam recognized the threat of registries and attempted to destroy the records, albeit with limited success.
- The failure to adequately protect this data led to the assassination of a significant portion of the Jewish population, underscoring the dangers of excessive data collection.
Lessons from History
- The Dutch made critical errors by amassing excessive data and lacking mechanisms for data deletion during emergencies.
- In contrast, France’s decision in 1872 to limit data collection resulted in significantly lower identification rates of Jewish individuals during the Nazi regime.
- These historical examples illustrate the importance of data privacy and the potential consequences of neglecting it.
Modern Implications of Data Privacy
- In 2019, journalists demonstrated how easily personal location data could be obtained, highlighting vulnerabilities even at the highest levels of government.
- The ease with which the president’s location was tracked raises concerns about the safety of individuals and the nation as a whole.
- This incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for privacy in safeguarding national security and individual safety.
Privacy and Democracy
- Privacy is essential for the preservation of democracy, as it protects the rights and freedoms of individuals.
- The erosion of privacy threatens investigative journalism, which relies on confidentiality to protect sources and maintain accountability.
- Countries with high rates of journalist assassinations often correlate with diminished privacy rights, exemplifying the risks to freedom of expression.
The Fragility of Democratic Structures
- Democracy is fragile and requires ongoing effort to protect; it cannot be taken for granted.
- Without privacy, fundamental freedoms such as speech, association, and peaceful protest are compromised.
- The gradual erosion of privacy can lead to irreversible damage to democratic institutions, highlighting the urgency of protecting these rights.
The Role of Technology in Privacy
- The digitization of information often leads to increased surveillance, challenging the notion that technology is inherently neutral.
- Surveillance technologies are designed to control and monitor, raising ethical concerns about their implications for personal freedoms.
- The transition from analog to digital can create systems that track and surveil individuals, complicating the landscape of privacy.
The Analog vs. Digital Dichotomy
- The analog world offers greater privacy and resilience compared to digital formats, which are often subject to hacking and surveillance.
- Physical books exemplify the advantages of analog; they do not require power, are not easily damaged, and do not track user behavior.
- Choosing digital over analog can lead to increased vulnerability and fragility in personal and societal contexts.
Historical Lessons on Data Collection
- During World War II, the French government initially lacked data on Jewish citizens, which hindered Nazi efforts to locate them.
- General Rene Carmill’s refusal to collect specific data for the Nazis exemplifies resistance against oppressive data collection practices.
- This historical example illustrates the potential for individual actions to protect privacy and save lives during times of crisis.
Future Considerations for Privacy
- The future of privacy is not predetermined; it is shaped by our choices regarding technology and data usage.
- Ethics and good design should guide the development of technology to ensure it supports democracy and individual freedoms.
- Collective action and thoughtful consideration of privacy can lead to better outcomes for society as a whole.
