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Topic: The Difference Between Privacy and Anonymity (Read 1408 times)

x^2
member
Activity: 73
Merit: 10
y=x^2 is a parabola
October 07, 2013, 05:13:08 PM
#6
Privacy:  You're naked, but no one sees you.

Anonymity:  You're walking around the city naked, but nobody knows your name Cool

I like that one!   Cheesy
legendary
Activity: 2786
Merit: 1031
Reference is made to RT's Google Hangout with Pirate Party Founder Rick Falkvinge and the question Stacy Herbert asked.

http://rt.com/op-edge/internet-security-google-hangout-499/

Very often people get confused while distinction is very simple in my view.

Privacy is a right. It is one of the universal human rights. As with every right it is up to you to choose when you want to exercise this right and when not to. Anonymity is a tool/method to fight for your rights when they (incl. the right of privacy) are violated and not respected by the powers.

Why is privacy a "right"?  Who decides what is a "universal human right?" 

We, Humans, decide.
full member
Activity: 210
Merit: 100
Privacy:  You're naked, but no one sees you.

Anonymity:  You're walking around the city naked, but nobody knows your name Cool
legendary
Activity: 980
Merit: 1004
Firstbits: Compromised. Thanks, Android!
Reference is made to RT's Google Hangout with Pirate Party Founder Rick Falkvinge and the question Stacy Herbert asked.

http://rt.com/op-edge/internet-security-google-hangout-499/

Very often people get confused while distinction is very simple in my view.

Privacy is a right. It is one of the universal human rights. As with every right it is up to you to choose when you want to exercise this right and when not to. Anonymity is a tool/method to fight for your rights when they (incl. the right of privacy) are violated and not respected by the powers.

This may seem like semantic nitpicking, but I wouldn't say privacy is a right, anymore than cars are.

Privacy isn't free, it takes effort to create, and the greater the privacy, the greater the cost. If you don't want people walking down the sidewalk to see what goes on inside your house, you need to take appropriate steps to prevent your activity from being seen (no windows, thick drapes, etc.)

I'd argue that the people have the right to acquire and maintain their own privacy. But not that anyone has a right an obligation to help them create or maintain it. Otherwise you get laws dictating that people turn their heads whenever someone is flaunting something they don't want you to see and then demands some privacy.
b!z
legendary
Activity: 1582
Merit: 1010
The two terms are often confused with each other. I think of anonymity as having a different identity, and privacy as being able to hide your identity.
legendary
Activity: 3431
Merit: 1233
September 30, 2013, 09:11:28 AM
#1
Reference is made to RT's Google Hangout with Pirate Party Founder Rick Falkvinge and the question Stacy Herbert asked.

http://rt.com/op-edge/internet-security-google-hangout-499/

Very often people get confused while distinction is very simple in my view.

Privacy is a right. It is one of the universal human rights. As with every right it is up to you to choose when you want to exercise this right and when not to. Anonymity is a tool/method to fight for your rights when they (incl. the right of privacy) are violated and not respected by the powers.
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