Poll: How do you protect your privacy?

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by Achshar on Thursday May 30, 2013 @12:53PM (#5793613)

That list makes me uncomfortable. I can't imagine doing all of it unless I was some criminal. But to each his own I guess because I don't really care what government or add company person is looking at me browsing reddit or programing forums. So nothing to hide, too much trouble and I don't care about my privacy. Now if I really wanted to hide my activities, I would be using tor BTW.

Plus I am a little optimistic about companies like Google/Apple/Microsoft. The risk involved in invading someone's privacy is definitely not nearly the worth of them getting caught and all the bad press. The ad companies and the government however I don't trust. Because they don't have a face to save. Someone gets busted, they shut down/resign and life goes on.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by MichaelApproved on Thursday May 30, 2013 @01:27PM (#5793850)

"I can't imagine doing all of it unless I was some criminal."

This is the #1 misconception about why people are concerned with privacy and it needs to stop. Not everyone who wants to protect their privacy is a criminal. Here are a few reasons you'd want to protect your privacy unrelated to criminal activities. I'm sure fellow HNers could add more to the list.

Private life away from work. Political enemies within the state. Private sexual fetish. Public personality who needs anonymity for some sense of a real life.

Another important one is private life away from family. You're probably thinking I'm referring to a cheating spouse but it's not only that. Many gay or atheist children are thrown out of their house when their parents discover that about their children.

There are many reasons law abiding citizens want privacy online. Please don't paint all privacy conscious people as criminals.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by Achshar on Thursday May 30, 2013 @11:11PM (#5796624)

As I said in my comment, to each his own and I don't think badly of people who work to protect their privacy. It just so happens that I have nothing to hide, everyone knows about my sexual orientation, hobbies and political opinion (I have none). I happen to be in a state where I can (I believe) afford to not worry about anyone finding something about me that I don't want them to. Prn habits however always go to incognito, I don't have anything worthy of a TOR setup for example.

This also can be because I have never been stalked or harassed. If I were to go through that then maybe I would change my stance.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by mrkuchbhi on Thursday May 30, 2013 @01:44PM (#5793961)

this article might be helpful too http://chronicle.com/article/Why-Privacy-Matters-Even-if/127...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by pyre on Thursday May 30, 2013 @01:50PM (#5794010)

You say criminal like it's a bad thing. In some countries, speaking out against the oppressive government is criminal (e.g. North Korea).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by gnosis on Thursday May 30, 2013 @02:28PM (#5794252)

"I can't imagine doing all of it unless I was some criminal."

Perhaps if you ever get harrassed, stalked, or have your identity stolen based on information you revealed online you might change your mind.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Poll: How do you protect your privacy? by gngeal on Thursday May 30, 2013 @01:28PM (#5793858)

That list makes me uncomfortable. I can't imagine doing all of it unless I was some criminal.

Alternatively, you could be a schizoid with paranoid tendencies. :-)

[ Parent | on HN ]