What a good idea

My regular readers know that I am always harping on about choice.  I feel we should have the right to choose whether we want to be tracked by websites; whether we are included in marketing lists; what information businesses hold about us.

This is the heart of my blog, really.

You’ve heard it all before, I know.  How opt-out systems should be opt-in; how ‘cookies’ should be off by default; how our data should only be used with our express, written permission.

And you keep on thinking to yourself: I don’t see the problem – everybody does it.

Yep.  You’re right.  Everybody does uses facebook, twitter, youtube, etc.  Everybody does give their details happily to anybody that asks for them.

I have a fairly simple response to make…

  • * Centuries ago, ‘everybody’ knew that the earth was flat.
  • * In the 1930’s ‘everybody’ in Germany voted for Hitler
  • * In the 70’s, ‘everybody’ thought smoking was a good idea
  • * ‘Everybody’ believed that Jimmy Saville was a good guy…

Of course, ‘everybody’ must be right about privacy…

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not claiming to be a visionary.  I’m simply pointing out that just because something is popular does not necesarily mean it’s right.

Recent news has proved that at least some of what I’ve been saying has merit.

All that is left for me to say is… my shoulder hurts.  I really must stop trying to pat myself on the back…



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