Just because you have nothing to hide doesn’t mean you should disregard privacy

It was a cold evening many years ago when I found myself in an unfamiliar and deeply unsettling situation — my first encounter with the police. I was questioned over an alleged sexual assault, an accusation I adamantly denied. On that night, the officers were relatively cordial, but in hindsight, I realised I’d been lulled into a false sense of security. There was something about it that didn’t feel quite right.

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One officer even told me to bring my phone with me to the station, explaining that I could use it after the interview to contact a family member to pick me up. But as soon as the interview ended and I was charged, my phone was seized. They explained it was due to the nature of the crime — sexual assault — though nothing on my phone contributed to the case. Still, I felt violated.

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What struck me the most wasn’t just the seizure of my phone, but the sheer unnecessary nature of it. It felt like a breach of my privacy, an abuse of power. After all, what relevance could my personal data possibly have to the case? My life, my memories, my personal conversations — all of it was on that phone. What could they possibly be looking for? The truth was, I used to think, "If you’ve got nothing to hide, why worry?" But when that logic is weaponised, you quickly realise how essential privacy is — not just for avoiding trouble, but for simply living freely.

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After the arrest and court proceedings, my passion for privacy became undeniable. I didn't want anyone invading my personal space, reading my messages, or tracking my every move. It wasn’t about hiding something; it was about control over my own information. That’s when I started delving into the world of cyber security, and what I uncovered opened my eyes to the extent of surveillance we’re all under. Companies like Google are building detailed profiles based on our online activity, tracking our behaviour across the internet for profit. Personal emails? They're scanned for keywords to serve targeted ads. The messages you send to your family? Open to scrutiny by corporations — and even government agencies with a warrant.

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It was clear that I needed a way to protect myself. That’s when I stumbled upon Michael Bazzell’s Extreme Privacy guides, which introduced me to secure mobile systems, encrypted communication apps like Proton Mail and Signal, and a whole new world of safeguarding my data. With these tools, I felt liberated. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was no longer being watched.

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Today, my perspective is clear: just because you have nothing to hide doesn’t mean you should disregard privacy. Just because you have nothing to say doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about free speech. Privacy isn’t just about concealing secrets; it’s about maintaining the autonomy to decide when, where, and how your personal information is shared.

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