Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Paul Jones <pjones AT metalab.unc.edu>]

This past Wednesday I was at the CPSR Privacy forum. Thanks Greg and
Christian and all of CPSR for putting on a great panel.

The speakers were Wayne Crews of Cato (who give pretty predictable
libertarian answers), Brock Meeks of MSNBC (who pretty much appologized
for working for both MS and NBS then went on to say why they weren't
actually invading any privacy or actually connected to each other), and
Robert Ellis Smith of the Privacy Journal. Smith spoke on the 10 greatest
myths about privacy. I've done my best to list them below with a - and his
response following. My notes are not perfect but you'll get the drift.

Smith also noted that the 4 pillars of privacy in Sen Edwards' talk on
Monday had been reduced from a slightly longer list. Edwards had: notice,
choice, access and security.  Removed were: restricted use (no secondary
use of data) and accuracy.  hmmmm.

Others who were there please correct me.

here are the top 10 myths about privacy according to Robert Ellis Smith

1) only those with something to hide need privacy
- actually groups bind by sharing secrets so groups need secrets (like a
Mason's handshake?)
2) privacy impeeds the free flow of information
- strawman?
3) technology always invades privacy
- technology can also help preserve privacy
4) worst case is that you get spam
- you gotta be kidding, there are obviously greater concerns
5) internet issues are paramount in privacy
- all inclusions including dna testing and archiving are worse
6) privacy costs too much
- not when properly measured. Privacy can save $$$
7) SSN cannot be used
- this is a myth. the warning that used to be on the card said 'not to be
used as an id' but this was a warning that SSN cards weren't as good as
drivers licenses etc. there is no prohibition to keeping SSNs
8) databanks are the worse problem
- location sensing and GPS are a much bigger invasion
9) enough privacy protection is already in place
- of course not
10) Privacy is already lost so get over it (ala Scott McNeally)
- no it's just beginning

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                             Paul Jones
                    "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto!"
http://www.ibiblio.org/pjones/ at the Site Formerly Known As MetaLab.unc.edu
  pjones AT ibiblio.org   voice: (919) 962-7600     fax: (919) 962-8071
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