Why privacy? Some people
view privacy as the refuge of criminal elements. They argue for
an "open" society in which we accept loss of privacy
in return for greater protection against those who intend harm.
They point to economic benefits (examples -- efficiencies in medical
care, targeted marketing, effective policing) that can be derived
from standardized exhaustive databases. So they argue, "Let
there be no secrets."
These are fine arguments...
except that historically we find these views expounded, not by
those who loved freedom, but by despots, tyrants, social engineers,
and those who have held the common man in contempt. Freedom and
privacy go hand in hand:
Article of Amendment IV
The Constitution of the United States
Ratified December 15, 1791
The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
Article IV is one of the ten articles making
up the US "Bill of Rights." Other nations also enshrine
privacy as a fundamental human right, on the basis of natural
law and justice. The dignity of the human person thrives where
personal property, privacy, and freedom are held in respect.
Individual privacy is a fundamental
need: Feelings about personal privacy run deep. The need for privacy
stems from a basic need for respect -- for oneself and for one's
possessions. If you take what is mine against my will, you treat
me as having no value. Information is a precious possession. When
we share information, we prefer to do it on our terms. Example:
We don't mind sharing our medical data and knowledge of the working
of our bodies with skilled, caring health care professionals.
We share because we believe the sharing will result in enhanced
personal well-being. But we are outraged if our medical data is
stolen and put up for sale to insurers, pharmaceutical manufacturers,
or our employers.
Corporate privacy: Because of the
nature of survival in a competitive world, the corporate need
for privacy is also strong. Survival of corporations and even
nations can hinge on the ability to keep secrets.
Benefits
Features of Pryvit
Freedom
from prying eyes
Collections
of processed data fragments are meaningless to even a highly
skilled reverse engineer or hacker
Freedom
from data mining
"He
who mines my computer finds only garbage."
Files
cannot be found
Data
files are dispersed to hidden locations on the Internet
and other media
Accommodate
any files whatsoever
Encryption
enhancer -- Can even start with files that are already heavily
encrypted.
Technological means now exist to infringe
on privacy. The existence of the means does not create a right,
either for the state or for other persons, to violate fundamental
human dignity. It seems only just, therefore, that we counter
technology with technology. Let there be technological means that
safeguard "the right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches....".
