Privacy as Freedom

Abstract

Every one who works on a specific issue area tends to believe that what he or she works on is core to humanity's future and/or sense of dignity. Environmentalists argue that the future of our global commons is at stake. Those who struggle against the arms trade contend that we can not be a civil world united in peace so long as we continue to make trade in the artefacts of destruction. Gun lobby groups contend that the possession of firearms is a key constitutional right, in some countries, or key to survival, in others. Anti-abortionists are struggling for the lives of the unborn and the morality of the future. Those who focus on development and aid believe that they are helping to heal the inequalities of the world. Through participation in political processes these people, regardless of differing political persuasions and methods, they all endeavour for change. Privacy advocates are no different, for the most part. You will rarely find privacy advocates protesting outside of buildings or summit locations, though. They do not often warn of armageddon, although warnings of distopias of Orwellian proportions are hardly different. Privacy advocates also contend that there are legal, sociological, and historical foundations to privacy. Most importantly,