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How to make people who are not tech-savvy understand the importance of data privacy? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

31 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I try to make my relatives understand that this is something important, to put forward rational arguments, but they refuse me, saying that it would only complicate their lives, so it's useless. I'm seen as the paranoid of the gang. So how would you convince your friends?

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 years ago* (last edited 4 years ago) (2 children)

I think this is the crux of it. "How it will be used against them" people find that hard to imagine, and so do I.

What are we afraid of?

targeted ads, playing on our secret weaknesses/fears
targeted scams
a credit rating system, where people with bad opinions can't get a job or a mortgage
personalised pricing where the seller knows how much you are willing to pay
blackmail using knowledge (or very good guesses) about people's secrets.

People think "targets ads are harmless i don't care" and they're right. But i think there are much more frightening dangers out there, that would make people act if they only knew about them.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 years ago* (last edited 4 years ago) (1 children)

I think you are actually on to something here. If the "much more frightening dangers" could be articulated and some examples could be added it will make for a very persuasive argument indeed. The "I don't mind targeted ads" is the most common push back along with people not getting how their metadata being collected could be used to scam them and the fact that no one likes to think they will be gullible enough to become victim of a scam.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 years ago (1 children)

I wouldn't go for illegal things people can do with my data (like scams) because criminals may use illegals ways to get my data as well. We should care more about the legal ways of acquiring data and using it against our interests.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 years ago

It could still help limit people's use of sites or sharing too much data. Just think of the "security question" often they ask you. For example Name of your first pet? Don't have that information on social media.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 years ago

Another angle is your contacts. Maybe you are clever enough to not be influenced by targeted ads but is everyone in your contact list? Many apps upload that data and obviously Facebook is using it in (arguably) good ways: "Do you know Emma?" (She just uploaded her contact list and you were on there)