Intelligence Deputy is Telling Us to 'Rethink Privacy?'  
Monday, November 12th, 2007 

Yesterday, new Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence for the U.S., Donald Kerr, said that it is time we change our definition of privacy.

"Those two generations younger than we are have a very different idea of what is essential privacy, what they would wish to protect about their lives and affairs.  And so, it's not for us to inflict one size fits all," Kerr said.  "Protecting anonymity isn't a fight that can be won.  Anyone that's typed in their name on Google understands that."

(That reminds me of a hilarious Marge Simpson quote...some episode where Homer had a garage-cleaning accident and Marge decided he should get life insurance and he buys an RV instead.  She told him, "Oh, please!  From what I hear, you waltz in here at ten-thirty, take a nap on the toilet, then sit around Googling your own name until lunch!"  I know, I need to stop watching reruns.)

Anyways, Kerr said, "Our job now is to engage in a productive debate, which focuses on privacy as a component of appropriate levels of security and public safety.  I think all of us have to really take stock of what we already are willing to give up, in terms of anonymity, but [also] what safeguards we want in place to be sure that giving that doesn't empty our bank account or do something equally bad elsewhere."

"There is something fundamentally different from the government having information about yout han private parties.  We shouldn't have to give people the choice between taking advantage of modern communication tolls and sacrificing their privacy...It's just another, 'trust us, we're the government.'"

Yeah, those two words don't belong in the same sentence right now.

His stance is that privacy can no longer mean anonymity, and that it should mean instead that the government and businesses properly safeguard people's private communications and financial information.  WRONG!  Privacy and anonymity are not always one and the same, but in matters that are not related to international security, such as the phone conversations and chat logs of innocent civilians, anonymity should be allowed and provided.

 1.  Visit the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit consumer information and advocacy organization, where you can learn about what your real financial, internet, medical, telecommunications, and records privacy rights are.  The best defense is to be informed!

2.  Use the link to the left to contact the FCC regarding both Net Neutrality (saving free public access to the internet) and our rights to privacy in our personal communications and internet activity.  There's also some really good info here if you're interested in reading more about the subject.

   

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