Why internet privacy and privacy in general is so important – what’s wrong with the “nothing to hide argument”?
If the people who make the laws have unlimited power to observe the people who live under those laws, then nothing to hide is irrelevant. Tomorrow they can change the rules so that you do have something to hide. And, on top of that, they gain unlimited power to identify, divide, and isolate the p…
The Short Answer
If the people who make the laws have unlimited power to observe the people who live under those laws, then nothing to hide is irrelevant. Tomorrow they can change the rules so that you do have something to hide. And, on top of that, they gain unlimited power to identify, divide, and isolate the people who might oppose them. The nothing to hide argument is really not about the secrets you have. What you're really saying when you make that claim is not that you have nothing to hide, but that you think you have nothing to fear from the people in power. That may well be true for you, right now. But for us, over the long term, it isn't.
Analysis
Key Concepts: People, nothing, hide
This explanation focuses on people, nothing, hide and spans 121 words across 7 sentences. At 68% above the average Biology explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “If the people who make the laws have unlimited power to observe the people who live under those laws, then nothing to hi” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 7 connected points.
How This Compares in Biology
Ranked #74 of 500 Biology questions by answer depth (top 16%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why why internet privacy and privacy in general is so important – what's wrong with the "nothing to hide argument"?
If the people who make the laws have unlimited power to observe the people who live under those laws, then nothing to hide is irrelevant. Tomorrow they can change the rules so that you do have something to hide. And, on top of that, they gain…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Biology questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 121 words, ranked #74 of 500 Biology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are people, nothing, hide.
What approach does this answer take to explain why internet privacy and privacy in general is so important ?
The explanation uses contrasting perspectives across 121 words. It is categorized under Biology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.