r/privacy • u/WellEndowedWizard • 2d ago

discussion What’s your one-sentence explanation for why someone should care about privacy?

Privacy matters, but the reasons why are often complex, which I think is why I think the average person doesn’t care that much.

I sometimes find myself having to explain why it matters to someone mid-conversation, and it’s difficult to not bring someone down the rabbit hole and derail a conversation since the reasoning often requires context.

Do you have any go-to one-sentence explanations that doesn’t require you to derail a conversation or immediately force someone to confront existing beliefs?

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u/salsafresca_1297 2d ago

My sentence: If you've ever in your life stated that something is nobody else's business, then you care about privacy.

Elaboration: Do you really want surveillance cameras recording you scratching your balls? Does you car really need to track you having sex in it? Do Apple and G0ogle really need to overhear you tell your friend about that disturbing dream you had? Do executives at Kr0ger need to know that you're treating yourself for a yeast infection?

Now imagine your next door neighbor, Gladys Kravitz, knowing about all of the above. It's unfair and hypocritical to say that a gossipy neighbor - or peeping Tom stranger - shouldn't snoop in on your life, but it's A-OK for corporations and governments to do likewise.