
by Daniel J. Solove
Why does privacy matter? Often courts and commentators struggle to articulate why privacy is valuable. They see privacy violations as often slight annoyances. But privacy matters a lot more than that.
Privacy is not just a concept—it’s your personal shield in an era where data is gold. Here are 10 compelling reasons why protecting your privacy is absolutely essential today:
1. Limit on Power
Privacy is a limit on government power, as well as the power of private sector companies. The more someone knows about us, the more power they can have over us. Personal data is used to make very important decisions in our lives. Personal data can be used to affect our reputations; and it can be used to influence our decisions and shape our behavior. It can be used as a tool to exercise control over us. And in the wrong hands, personal data can be used to cause us great harm.
Privacy stands as a barrier against the unchecked might of governments and corporations. Remember the shockwaves sent through the world after the Cambridge Analytica scandal? Modern laws like GDPR and CCPA have stepped in, but the ultimate power still lies with you. By guarding your data, you’re limiting overreach and keeping those in power honest.
Continue Reading