Privacy is for geezers
A Zogby poll released this week shows that 91% of Americans agreed with the statement that our expectations of privacy have changed due to technologies and the Internet.
The most interesting parts of the survey show the clear gap between privacy expectations of baby boomers and the younger generations (I have an entire chapter in Privacy Lost devoted to this idea). For example, only 19.6 percent of 18-24 year-olds consider their dating profile to be an invasion of their privacy, compared to 54.6 percent of other respondents. Another data point is that 45.4% of 18-24 year old says that they or someone they know broke up with someone by text message.
The most telling answers came from the question about which they'd give up first: radio, television or the Internet. 18-24 year olds would hold onto their Internet access until everything else was gone. Older generations would jettison the Net first.
As this generation gets into power over the next 5-10 years, they will bring their lowered expectations of privacy into play in policy formation. The time to make sweeping laws for privacy is now, because it will not happen tomorrow. Perhaps the younger generation has a healthier attitude towards the role of privacy in the Digital Age. I guess we'll find out.
Posted on February 02, 2007
