The collective struggle for privacy
In an era where conversations about online privacy seem deceptively simple, achieving it is anything but. Privacy is an abstract concept and achieving it takes work; hard work in fact. It’s not like someone can suddenly break apart from propriety software almost immediately. Even if they could, they have to make sacrifices to make do—sacrifices that not everyone is willing to make.
Take for instance someone’s choice of a messaging app. You could choose a more secure one such as Matrix, but it is very likely that you’d lose connections with your friends and your families who would rather choose this other app because they “are used to it”. This other app boasts itself as secure as well, mainly because of the E2EE. But, in the grand scheme of things, the content of the message is just one thing. The use of your phone number remains an issue alongside transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with businesses, mobile device information, your IP address, among other things. But, you don’t convince people to move away from the app because of technical this and technical that. You don’t win people if your only argument to move away from Whatsapp is because Zuckerberg sucks. Unless they are personally affected by it, and, I mean personally, not just someone they know from work or a friend of a friend or a friend of a friend of a friend, chances are most people will not care.
So where am I going with this—I hear you ask?
I believe that our current understanding of the right to privacy is selfish. The whole of private property, by itself, is steeped in capitalist ideologies anchored on the tenets of individualism that prioritise property rights. It emphasises personal protection without considering the broader societal implications. Privacy isn’t merely a personal choice. If anything, it is a social predicament. Kasper, in her 2007 paper, puts it so perfectly:
“Privacy is a socially created need, and without society, there would be no need for privacy”.
One person’s choice of an app can jeopardise the privacy of others. When enough people use a non-secure service, it becomes a norm, making it harder for others to choose more secure options without sacrificing social or professional connections. It also fails to address the systemic issues at play. Many people aren’t equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their privacy. Some wouldn’t understand the trade-offs they’re making and the long-term consequences of their choices. Then what happens next? We blame them for not securing their data, rather than holding institutions accountable for not providing secure and user-friendly options.
Privacy is also highly influenced by one’s position in the social hierarchy. The richer you are, the easier it is for you to obtain a higher level of privacy compared to those lower down the social ladder. This very commodification of privacy creates a false dichotomy between those who can afford privacy and those who cannot. A classic tale as old as time. When we treat privacy as a purchasable good, we marginalise those who lack the resources to buy into these protections. And by framing privacy as an individual choice, society implicitly blames those who cannot afford privacy-enhancing tools for their lack of privacy. This perpetuates the false idea that privacy is a matter of personal responsibility and capability, rather than a systemic issue rooted in economic inequality**.** It reinforces the idea that people attain privacy simply because they choose to. It ignores the financial and social barriers that prevent many from securing their personal data.
The current neoliberal understanding of privacy that revolves around individualism is impractical and weak. Urgent rethinking is crucial as we navigate the digital realms. Reconceptualising privacy demands a communal approach wherein collective action is prioritised over isolation. As the problem of privacy is inherently social, so too must be its solution. Definitely, one that is rooted in collective responsibility, social justice and not just the good old ‘me’ approach. As we ponder the complexities of digital privacy, let’s not forget that our choices echo beyond ourselves. Feel free to contribute your thoughts and perspectives below, as we work together to forge a future where privacy is not an individual entitlement but a societal value.