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Author Cory Doctorow talks about privacy and technology and “what’s at stake if the persistent erosion of privacy continues unchecked.” Doctorow’s talk is part of a panel presented by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom at ALA’s 2008 Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. (via Boing Boing)

Doctorow addresses critical issues in privacy and surveillance:

• The ubiquitous gathering of information online, at the checkout and in libraries
• The ubiquitous presence of surveillance technologies in public, commercial and digital spaces
• The ubiquitous acceptance of surveillance architectures and designs (that privilege the needs of the data collector over the privacy and choices of the end users)
• The naturalisation and acceptance of the above conditions

Privacy isn’t about secrecy, it’s about rights and freedoms

One of the key points he makes is how privacy is not the same as secrecy - that much of what we do in our daily lives - our freedom of movement, association, speech and activities isn’t entirely private - yet we regard the decision to disclose our whereabouts, activities and communications as a choice. The key issues of privacy do not concern the nature of who and what we are and do but our freedom and choice to limit or control access to that information.

The premise that “only people with secrets should be worried about surveillance” opens up all kinds of opportunities to track, capture and archive every aspect of our lives and identities without our consent or control.

Of great concern is not the spectre of some cartoon Big Brother but the opportunity for anyone with malicious intent to gain access to our data. In a time of decreasing regulation, we are increasingly placing this data in the hands of private commercial interests. Interests that cannot and should not be entrusted with access, retrieval and ownership of our data.

Learn more:

Cory Doctorow and organisations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and associated legal, academic and political groups are fighting for privacy, freedom and civil liberty through advocacy, policy and legal campaigns.