Storyline
Anytime you go online, you're not alone.
Your
internet activity is likely being tracked by the prying
eyes of corporations and the security branches of
government. It's an insidious form of spying that
remains invisible to most.
Others claim they couldn't care less who is watching or
gathering data from their internet searches.
After all, they claim, they have no secrets of value.
The
feature-length documentary 'Nothing to Hide' outlines the
flaws behind this common perspective, and reveals why
modern online conveniences should not come at the
expense of a person's right to privacy.
Many of those who have expressed grave concerns over
online privacy have been dismissed as 'kooky conspiracy
theorists'.
But
according to the film's perspective, their paranoia is
firmly grounded in reality.
The
film features interviews with consumer rights activists,
sociologists, a former member of the National Security
Agency (NSA), and a series of consumers who have
experienced the perils of online surveillance.
At the center of it all is a young man who sees little
harm in the practice.
Like many others, he happily
breezes through terms and conditions when installing an
app, and accepts the risk of having his every online
activity monitored in exchange.
He agrees to participate in a fascinating experiment for
the film.
His
phone and laptop will be tracked for 30 days, and his
metadata will be shared with analysts much like those
employed by companies and organizations that specialize
in monetizing personal data.
-
What will this data reveal about his personal
comings and goings, his likes and dislikes, and the
building blocks of his daily life and relationships?
-
Will he think differently about online surveillance
once he gains a true sense of what he's giving up?
The
film argues that the practice of surveillance, and our
willingness to relinquish our private information, is
more than just a ploy to target advertising.
In
fact, it's a gateway to a dystopian future
worthy of
George Orwell.
The
information gleaned from our online activities may be
used to,
-
hinder our employment opportunities
-
threaten
our financial health
-
compromise more than just our
freedom of speech...
Source
