The Only Places Where Privacy Still Exists

Summary

The video script discusses the erosion of privacy in Western countries, highlighting the US's TikTok ban and potential VPN restrictions as indicative of a broader trend. It raises concerns about government surveillance, citing examples like WhatsApp's data sharing and a forthcoming satellite capable of detailed monitoring from space. The speaker advocates for the benefits of smaller countries with less desire or capability for mass surveillance, suggesting that privacy can still be found in nations that are not superpowers.

Takeaways

• 📱 Privacy concerns are growing as countries, including the US, are increasingly intervening in the private affairs of their citizens, with the TikTok ban being a notable example.
• 🛡️ The initial TikTok ban bill raised concerns about the potential for the US government to eliminate VPNs, which are crucial for maintaining online privacy.
• 📜 Smaller countries often have more straightforward and understandable laws compared to the complex, multi-page bills in larger countries like the US, which can hide controversial provisions.
• 🕊️ Despite government assurances, there is a fear that broad language in bills could be used to restrict privacy tools like VPNs in the future.
• 📡 The rise of surveillance technology, such as satellites capable of close-up imaging from space, is a significant threat to individual privacy, with concerns about a 'Big Brother' scenario becoming reality.
• 📈 There is a trend among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, to be more accepting of surveillance measures, which could indicate a shift in societal attitudes towards privacy.
• 🌐 The Chinese government's efforts to extend its surveillance capabilities beyond its borders, affecting the Chinese diaspora, highlight the global reach of such practices.
• 🏠 A notable proportion of younger individuals are open to the idea of government surveillance in their homes, suggesting a potential erosion of traditional privacy values.
• 🗺️ Smaller countries without the means, power, or desire to engage in mass surveillance may offer better privacy protection and are more responsive to their citizens' needs.
• 🏛️ The speaker advocates for having multiple citizenships and passports to have options to live in countries with less invasive surveillance practices.
• 🌟 There will always be countries that resist global surveillance trends, offering alternatives for those seeking greater privacy and freedom.

Q & A

What is the main concern discussed in the video script regarding privacy?

The main concern discussed is the increasing invasion of privacy by governments and corporations, particularly in Western countries, through surveillance technologies and data collection.

What is the connection between the TikTok ban in the US and privacy issues?

The TikTok ban in the US is highlighted as an example of how countries are taking a heavier hand in intervening in the private affairs of their citizens, which could have repercussions for privacy, including the potential banning of VPNs.

Why does the speaker mention smaller countries as potentially better for privacy?

Smaller countries are suggested to be better for privacy because they typically lack the means, power, and desire to surveil their citizens to the same extent as larger, more powerful nations.

What is the potential impact of the new satellite by startup Albo on privacy?

The new satellite by Albo, capable of high-resolution imaging from space, could significantly invade privacy by allowing detailed surveillance of individuals and activities on the ground.

What is the significance of the generational difference in attitudes towards surveillance as mentioned in the script?

The generational difference signifies a shift in societal attitudes towards privacy, with younger generations, particularly Gen Z, showing less resistance to surveillance measures, which could indicate a future where privacy is less valued.

What is the role of citizenship by investment programs in shaping the policies of smaller countries?

Citizenship by investment programs can influence the policies of smaller countries by requiring them to maintain attractive policies for foreigners, such as no income taxes, which in turn can foster an environment that respects privacy and individual freedom.

How does the speaker view the future of privacy in Western countries?

The speaker believes that privacy is largely dead in Western countries due to increasing surveillance and control measures, but also suggests that there may always be countries that resist these trends.

What is the implication of the Chinese government's actions towards its diaspora as described in the script?

The implication is that the Chinese government is extending its surveillance and control beyond its borders, affecting Chinese citizens living abroad and potentially infringing on their privacy and freedom of expression.

What is the potential consequence of broad language in bills like the initial TikTok ban for privacy?

Broad language in bills can lead to unforeseen consequences for privacy, such as the potential for governments to ban VPNs or impose other restrictions on online privacy tools.

Why does the speaker suggest having multiple citizenships or passports?

Having multiple citizenships or passports provides individuals with options to live in countries that may offer greater privacy protections and are less likely to engage in extensive surveillance practices.

What is the significance of the comment about 'living outside China being like living inside China'?

This comment underscores the global reach of the Chinese government's surveillance and control measures, affecting even those who have left China and are living abroad.

Outlines

00:00

🔒 Erosion of Privacy in the Digital Age

The speaker discusses the growing concerns over privacy in the digital era, highlighting the US government's actions that parallel those of countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The discussion revolves around the potential for government overreach, as seen in the TikTok ban and the possibility of VPNs being outlawed, which would significantly impact online privacy. The speaker also touches on the broad language often used in US bills that could be interpreted to infringe upon privacy rights, using the example of the initial TikTok ban legislation and the FATCA law that required banks to report on American accounts. The paragraph emphasizes the need for vigilance against such privacy invasions, even in countries that are traditionally seen as upholding freedom and privacy.

05:01

📡 Big Brother's Watchful Eye: Surveillance Satellites and Public Perception

This paragraph delves into the advancements in surveillance technology, particularly the upcoming launch of a high-resolution satellite by a company called Albo, which has raised concerns among privacy experts. The satellite is capable of zooming in on individuals or license plates from space, potentially creating a 'Big Brother' scenario. Despite Albo's contracts with the US government and the significant funding it has received, there is skepticism about the company's commitment to privacy. The speaker also reflects on the changing attitudes towards surveillance among different age groups, with younger generations seemingly more accepting of government surveillance. The paragraph concludes with a broader discussion on the global impact of surveillance and the desire for some to maintain control over their privacy.

10:02

🏝 The Appeal of Smaller Nations for Privacy Seekers

The speaker argues that smaller nations, due to their size and lack of global influence, are more likely to respect individual privacy and less likely to engage in extensive surveillance. Using St. Kitts and Nevis as an example, the paragraph explains how these countries rely on good policies to attract foreign investment and citizens, which includes maintaining a non-intrusive stance on privacy. The speaker contrasts this with larger 'legacy brand' countries that have the means and desire to surveil their citizens, suggesting that smaller nations are more responsive to their people's needs and less likely to engage in oppressive surveillance practices.

15:03

🌐 Passport Portfolios and the Future of Privacy

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the importance of having multiple citizenships and residence permits as a means to safeguard one's privacy and freedom. They highlight the benefits of having passports from smaller, less intrusive countries, which may offer a refuge from the increasing surveillance and control exerted by larger nations. The speaker also touches on the concept of multipolarity, where smaller countries band together to resist the influence of global powers, and the potential for these alliances to offer privacy-conscious individuals a sanctuary. The paragraph concludes with a note of optimism that there will always be places that value privacy and resist the global trend towards surveillance.

Keywords

💡Privacy

Privacy refers to the right of individuals to keep their personal information and activities away from public view. In the video, the speaker argues that privacy is being increasingly compromised by governments and corporations through surveillance and data collection, exemplifying this with the TikTok ban and the potential outlawing of VPNs.

💡Surveillance

Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering. The video discusses the growing extent of surveillance by governments and companies, such as through internet service providers blocking VPNs and new satellite technologies capable of spying on individuals from space.

💡TikTok ban

The TikTok ban refers to the legislative efforts in the United States to prohibit the use of the TikTok app due to concerns over data security and privacy. The video uses this ban to illustrate how governments are increasingly infringing on personal freedoms under the guise of national security.

💡VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is a tool that allows users to create a secure connection to another network over the internet, protecting their privacy and data. The speaker highlights concerns that broad legislation could be used to ban VPNs, thus eliminating a key method individuals use to maintain their online privacy.

💡Legacy brand countries

Legacy brand countries are nations with long-established international influence and power, such as the United States. The video argues that these countries are increasingly intervening in the private affairs of their citizens, contrasting them with smaller nations that are less likely to impose such surveillance.

💡Broad legislative language

Broad legislative language refers to laws written with vague or expansive terms, allowing for wide interpretation and potential misuse. The video criticizes such language in bills like the TikTok ban, which could unintentionally or intentionally be used to restrict privacy tools like VPNs.

💡Censorship

Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of speech or writing that is considered subversive or harmful. The video touches on censorship in various forms, including the monitoring and limiting of online communications, as seen with platforms like WeChat censoring messages even outside China.

💡Big Brother

Big Brother is a term from George Orwell's novel '1984,' representing an omnipresent, authoritarian government that monitors and controls all aspects of life. The video uses this concept to describe the potential future where governments use advanced surveillance technologies to watch citizens continuously.

💡Multipolarity

Multipolarity refers to the global power structure where multiple countries or regions have significant influence, rather than being dominated by one or two superpowers. The speaker suggests that a more multipolar world could provide opportunities for individuals to escape the extensive surveillance seen in major powers.

💡Citizenship by investment

Citizenship by investment is a process where individuals can acquire citizenship in a country by investing a certain amount of money in that nation's economy. The video promotes smaller countries offering such programs as safer havens with less invasive governments compared to large, surveillance-heavy nations.

Highlights

Privacy is increasingly being eroded, with countries like the United States taking measures that could be compared to those of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The TikTok ban in the US may set a precedent for further government intervention into citizens' private affairs.

Reason Magazine's analysis suggests that initial TikTok legislation could potentially lead to the banning of VPNs, impacting online privacy.

Smaller countries often have more transparent and concise laws, in contrast to the complex and lengthy bills in the US.

Hidden clauses in large bills, such as the Trump tax cuts and FATCA, can have significant privacy implications for citizens.

ISPs may collaborate with governments to restrict the use of VPNs, further limiting internet privacy.

The rise of surveillance technology, such as satellites capable of close-up imaging from space, raises serious privacy concerns.

Albo, a startup, has signed contracts with US government agencies to provide high-resolution satellite imaging for security purposes.

There is a growing acceptance of surveillance among younger generations, with a significant portion of Gen Z supporting government surveillance measures.

The Chinese government is tightening its control over the Chinese diaspora, causing fear and self-censorship among expatriates.

Smaller countries without the means or desire to surveil their citizens may offer better privacy protections.

Citizenship by investment programs in smaller nations often lead to policies that are favorable to foreign residents and investors.

Countries with citizenship-based taxation, like the US and Eritrea, can impose financial obligations on citizens regardless of their residence.

The global political landscape is becoming more multipolar, with regional blocs offering alternatives to dominant world powers.

There is a trend of smaller, wealthier countries resisting global surveillance and tax policies, offering more freedom and privacy.

Having multiple citizenships and residence permits can provide options to live in countries with less invasive privacy practices.

The cultural attitudes in some non-Western countries tend to value personal freedom and a lower tolerance for government surveillance.

Transcripts

you may think that privacy where you

live is dead and you'd be reasonable to

think that a long outdated construct

that your country says it values and

perhaps used to but really no longer

does at least increasingly so today I'm

going to tell you some of the problems

that we're seeing that are taking away

your privacy and ways you may not have

even heard about and what you can do

about it and where you can

go one of the things I've talked about

recently whether you like Tik Tok or not

whether you think it's good for people

or not

is how the Tik Tock band in the United

States puts that country on par with

Afghanistan and Pakistan no other

country really is going so far as the

United States and I think that's going

to have repercussions for entrepreneurs

included but what it shows is that

countries Legacy brand countries are

taking a heavier hand with intervening

into the Private Affairs of their

citizens now that other countries around

the world like China are emerging and

have more uh viability have a greater

presence in the world the United States

and other Legacy brain countries which

had the show to themselves for a while

are increasingly saying yeah we don't

want that somehow freedom of choice no

longer matters they say it's for your

own good but government say that a lot

and they usually don't mean it and so

one of the things that stood it to me

though besides Tik Tok we've talked

about that already is that in the first

Tik Tok band bill when this came up

about a year ago uh reason magazine

actually went through and said this this

could be interpreted at some point if

this bill passes that the government can

get rid of VPN virtual private networks

that allow you to maintain your privacy

when you are online and they said that

the government claims it won't do this

that's not what the law is about they

talk to various uh lawmakers and no no

no that's not what we're trying to do

but reason magazine said of the initial

Tik Tock Bill the language was very

Broad and it could be interpreted uh

that hey you can't use a

VPN and this is interesting because the

United States I think looking at laws

around the world I'm not a lawyer uh but

I occasionally look at you know

different laws and it it's remarkable to

me in some of the smaller countries that

we deal with just how much smaller the

laws are how you can actually read them

and understand them that the bills are

not 3,000 pages I mean sometimes they're

10 pages or five pages they just get

right to the point in the US and these

multipage bills they often bury little

things in there you saw this in the in

the Trump tax cuts even there's some

nasty stuff in there you saw this when

Obama brought fat K in which uh uh

basically forces all the banks around

the world to tattletail on Americans who

were required to report their foreign

bank accounts and so you know could you

have a bill that bans Tik Tok and and

people say okay fine it's China let's be

against them but buried in there is yeah

uh vpns or at least what I've said

before all right they'll use broad

language they'll do things to the back

door they'll they'll impose deao bands

and then later they'll be able to come

and say yeah you can't have VPN and

certainly I can tell you I have been to

places where internet service providers

on their own not the government but the

ISP says uh yeah we don't allow vpns and

if you try and use a VPN your internet

doesn't work you don't think that the

isps would just go along with the

government uh if they said no VPN of

course they would they would just shut

off your access to the internet we have

to know everything that you're doing and

so that's something that is increasingly

troubling and what bothers me the most

and and when people say oh you're pick

on the US oh you know why do you hate

the US I I don't hate but I think that

it's concerning when so many people say

this is a free country or in the case of

the United States which is why we talk

about them the most this is the most

free country yeah it has its problems

and many people won't even admit that

but it is the most free country in the

world that's just statistically

qualitatively and quantitatively not

true but the fact that so many people

think that is why it's important to

understand that there's a lot of places

out there where you wouldn't have to

deal with this here's some other

headlines that I've come across recently

how about how uh WhatsApp is spying on

you and they sold your private messages

to Netflix the government allows them to

do this and you could say that's Freedom

you agree to their terms and conditions

but they're looking at what you're

saying there's other things happening

how about this from The Daily Mail in

the UK saying there's a new Big Brother

satellite capable of zooming in on

anyone from anywhere in space and it's

set to launch in 2025 privacy experts

say we should definitely be worried

they're basically saying a new satellite

with close-up Imaging would invade

people's privacy well they wouldn't want

to do that would they well of course

they would we've known that for over a

decade now and some of us imagined it

was coming for much longer than that the

Daily Mail says privacy experts are

sounding the alarm and a new satellite

capable of spying on your every move set

to launch in 2025 the satellite created

by startup albo is so high quality can

zoom in on people or license plates from

space raising concerns among experts

that will create a big brother is always

watching scenario the company claims the

satellite won't have facial recognition

software but doesn't mention that it

will refrain from Imaging people or

protecting people's privacy they're not

going to promise that they just this is

the stuff that they lied about in the

past they don't even have to lie anymore

albo signed two separate million-dollar

contracts with the US Air Force and the

National Air and Space Intelligence

Center to help the US government monitor

potential threats to US National

Security that's what they always tell

you is everything's for your security

and that's just that's just the line the

average person eats it up oh of course

oh oh okay I won't I won't say anything

albo has raised $35 million in just a

few months to commercialize a very low

earth orbit satellite in addition to 48

million that it raised back in

2022 the team says they hope to

eventually have a fleet of about 24

spacecraft that can spy on you for

governments like the United States this

is a giant camera in the sky for any

government to use at any time without

our know says Jennifer Lynch from the

Electronic Frontier Foundation we should

definitely be worried and a Harvard

astrophysicist says it's taking us one

step closer to a big brother is watching

kind of world now as we've told you

before there's probably some people who

aren't that concerned about this because

according to the KO Institute uh from

2023 nearly a third of gen Z favors the

government installing surveillance

cameras in homes we've talked about this

before they call it a very orwellian

concept and so what's interesting is

when you look at the numbers by age

groups by the time you get to 65 plus

only 5% say yes to this but 29% of 18 to

29 year olds say yeah okay domestic

violence and all that kind of stuff sure

put a camera in my house put cameras all

over my house basically a 6:1 ratio you

can look at the graph and you can see

every generation is less and less

interested in this when I say momentum

in Legacy brand countries is heading in

the wrong direction this is what I mean

in just the course of two maybe three

generations a six-fold increase in stuff

that people even today would say what

are you talking about imagine if someone

said that 10 years ago would you even

believe it of course you wouldn't you'd

say that that's crazy I put put cameras

in our home so the the police can watch

us and just in case something happens

just always be on camera well you've got

people who are comfortable being on

camera now and they don't realize what

people in other countries that we talk

about like Serbia or Georgia like people

there kind of realize yeah the

government we've seen when they've used

this against us and over time perhaps

that Vibe goes away but certainly

there's still that Vibe present now like

we remember when that happened and the

government was kind of in our business

and we don't want that again I don't

know that jenz in the US or Canada or

Australia really knows that and so uh

the momentum is definitely going in the

wrong direction who needs the government

when you have a new generation of people

who well I guess you need the government

to actually do the spying on you but

they're they're all in favor it and you

know the question for me is why you

don't want to live in a big country I'm

going to elaborate on this in a moment

but one more headline from The Economist

which says that living outside China has

now become like living inside China

because the Communist party there wants

to tighten its grip on the Chinese

diaspora they interview people who

didn't want their names used

professionals who are neither dissidents

nor activists get fear the watchful eye

of the Chinese state people who have

left places like Shanghai to work in

Europe and elsewhere and they keep in

touch with friends on WeChat the Chinese

app realizing some of their messages

have been censored even in their new

country they're careful of who they talk

to in public what places they go to and

they want to make sure that there's no

members of the Chinese Communist party

there now we've

seen and we've talked about for years

the US government obviously has a very

large presence around the world the

Chinese government has a large presence

around the world they're building that

they're doing a lot of diplomatic work

all over the place and there are

concerns that people who are uh from

China will be spied you can take that

for what it's worth uh I would argue

that any big country wants to do this

and so when you say where do I go to

where they're not going to put a camera

in my home where do I go to where

they're not going to fly surveillance

drones that they can uh look at me doing

absolutely anything from the sky where

do I go where they're not going to

invade my privacy and the messages that

I send on my phone how do I escape this

system for me the answer has always been

you want to have countries in your life

that don't have the DNA the means or

quite frankly the desire to surveil on

their citizens and perhaps the desire I

suppose if any country became a big

superpower perhaps they would attract

people who wanted to be in office who

wanted to do superpower like stuff that

to me is one of the fundamental

challenges of a big Legacy brand country

where they're they're so content on kind

of telling people around the world about

to do is when that goes away um they get

really nasty and it also attracts people

who like to do that if you're running to

be an office in uh you know St kits and

Nas a country where you can get a

passport by making an investment a

country of fewer than 100,000 people

you're not getting into office because

you want to go out and tell everybody

else around the world what they have to

do or start wars around the world or set

up drones like what do you do in s kits

and nevas well a very substantial chunk

of their revenue comes from their

citizenship by investment program so

number one you have to keep you know

very good policies for foreigners that

they would want to have your passport

you have to say Okay we don't have

income taxes if you want to come and

live in your country you don't have to

you don't have to live here but if you

do we're not going to tax you you can't

be you know screwing with people all

over the world because why would someone

want to be your citizen if you were

screwing with them the way that they're

talking about the us or China screwing

with people you have to have good

policies and when you raise a good chunk

of your money for your budget from a

citizenship program what are they doing

they're building roads they're building

schools I have watched what the St Lucia

prime minister where I'm a citizen talks

about they're actually doing something

good with the money that you donate it's

actually directly impacting in many

cases low-income people uh it's building

schools people get better educated uh

they have to actually be responsive to

the people because they don't all hide

in Washington DC in the wealthiest

counties in the United States while

everybody else in the Hinterlands just

goes about their business they have to

be responsible they have to be

accessible and so sure St Lucia if they

had a population and world domination

they surely attract politicians who

would did the same kind of stuff we're

talking about but they don't it's not in

their DNA because they're not a large

country they don't have that power they

don't have the means and they have to be

responsive to you know spending the

money that they do have on actually

serving people so generally speaking I

think smaller countries are better uh

they're more Nimble um you have better

you know power structures resources and

incentive they can't as as easily just

print cash because they have the world

Reserve currency to go out and do stuff

against people and so if you look at you

know the two countries that have

full-fledged citizenship by taxation

you're a citizen you pay no matter where

you live and and I always say yes

Americans you can move overseas with a

business we help people all the time

reduce their taxes As Americans but you

are still a taxpayer even if you're

paying much less you're not out of the

system the way a Canadian Australian

German Irish citizen would be the US and

Eritrea have citizenship based taxation

arria is called a bully the United

Nations tells it to stop and they don't

really effectively collect much of

anything why they don't have they may

have the desire they don't have the

power they don't have the means what's

aat tra going to do send people over to

to rustle up every taxi driver in San

Diego and tell them where's your 2% now

they can say we won't renew your

passport perhaps but there's even holes

in that and so the US government can get

away with doing this kind of stuff other

big countries other Legacy brand

countries that can do things like print

money that have the power that have this

kind of global heavy hand they can get

away with it and you know World Reserve

currency they can control International

banking they can compel other countries

to submit to their wishes uh somebody

made the comment if Uncle Sam's dominant

situation deteriorates it will no longer

have that option he said Andrew is right

about getting out before the big

collapse so I think it's okay to want to

have privacy I think privacy to to a

large extent is dead in Western

countries but here's what I'll tell you

uh you think van watu is going to start

flying surveillance drones now listen

maybe uh some of these big countries

start surveilling us all this company If

they raise enough money it's you need a

lot you need a lot of these these

cameras I would suppose before they're

coming to vanatu or Montenegro or

anywhere else maybe at some point you're

just you're just totally screwed you

know what I I'll take the next 20 30 40

years of my life living happily knowing

the stuff isn't to the same extent at

least happening to me and uh listen

maybe one day you're all screwed I I

fundamentally think there's always going

to be countries that push back on

something and that's why I say if you

build a passport portfolio have one

that's weird like once you get to the

fourth or fifth one uh and I know it

seems weird like having four or five

citizenships like if you do find one

where it's like really off the radar and

they're just like we don't we don't have

the time or the patience for this kind

of stuff and I've said uh African

countries pushing back you can laugh at

that um but I mean they were some of the

most open countries in recent years um

someone mentioned Tanzania particularly

I'm not saying it's your place you're

going to go but I I just think there's

always going to be places African

countries pushed back against the global

minimum tax they're like this doesn't

benefit us we don't want to be part of

this as the world becomes more

multi-polar there will be blocks of

places that are like yeah please come

here we want you look at El Salvador

that president is pushing back against

some of the western powers and and he

may not be able to do that entirely but

he's like yeah we're going to have

policies that benefit people low taxes

Pro business pro- Freedom there's always

going to be a place and you didn't know

El Salvador 5 years ago before this guy

got in was going to be that place so

you'll want to have different options

you want to have residence permits and

you want to have passports that you can

go to places by the way El Salvador is

part of the Central America 4 so if you

were one of the other four countries

you'd also have some reciprocal

privileges in El Salvador so sometimes

when you get passports that are part of

a a block the European Union the ca4 of

the African Union could become bigger in

the future Mor casasur Aion and

southeast Asia there are others and

there's others being developed as we

speak for example in Africa if you're

part of that open Balkan now small small

Confederation not so much freedom of

movement of people in in the western

Balkans you know having those passports

is going to be good because more

countries are going to get together with

like-minded countries more Regional

focus more

multipolarity and the smaller countries

that are outside of this system that

have more resources that are

increasingly becoming wealthy they don't

all want to follow the US people

complain about China sure I'm I'm maybe

I'm with you but uh there're going to be

more countries linked up diplomatically

with China and what happens when they do

that the US goes berserk when some

country let's say in the South Pacific

uh links up with China why well of

course it's easier for one country to

have you know sway over everyone but

they're the ones who want to put

surveillance cameras over you so they

can watch every single thing that you're

doing they're the country that's going

in the wrong direction where people are

saying please invade my privacy I beg of

you all while they raise your tax taes

so quite frankly I'm glad I don't live

in that in that world even the places

that I go in the Western World I think

are more hands off I spent a a good

amount of my time out of the western

world where just you could just tell by

the the culture that people don't want

that noad capist live our live event we

host it this year in Malaysia there's a

sense of soft Freedom there people just

want to be left alone if you come and

experience the live event you'll feel it

when you're there I really think you

will I felt it there for over a decade

there's other places you'll feel it

small countries out of the western world

without the power without the means

without the desire I think is the big

one to control you that's where privacy

is not dead