Is it impossible to be private online?

Summary

The video challenges the 'Privacy Doomers,' who believe protecting online privacy is pointless due to the extensive surveillance by big tech and governments. It argues that while complete privacy may be impossible, taking steps to minimize data sharing is still valuable. The speaker highlights how privacy tools and awareness have grown mainstream, making it easier than ever for people to protect themselves. The message encourages viewers not to give up but to find a balanced approach to privacy that suits their needs, emphasizing that every small action can make a difference in the fight for online privacy.

Takeaways

• 💻 People often argue that there's no point in protecting online privacy since big tech companies already know everything about you.
• 🤔 The concept of 'Privacy Doomers' refers to those who believe it's futile to fight for privacy in a world where data collection is rampant.
• 🛡️ While it's impossible to achieve total privacy, taking steps to minimize data collection is still valuable and achievable.
• 🌐 Mass surveillance, revealed by Edward Snowden, shows the scale at which governments and big tech companies monitor digital activity.
• 😑 Many people feel complacent about privacy, believing that the convenience of using services like Google and Facebook outweighs concerns.
• 🔍 Privacy isn’t all or nothing; small actions like using privacy-respecting browsers, search engines, and blocking trackers can make a big difference.
• 🚶‍♂️ You don't have to live off-grid to protect your privacy—it's about finding the level of privacy that works for you.
• 📉 Just because companies have already collected a lot of your data doesn’t mean you should stop caring about future privacy breaches.
• 📱 Mainstream awareness about privacy is growing, and tools like Brave, DuckDuckGo, and Signal make it easier for everyday people to protect their data.
• 👥 By taking privacy-conscious actions and explaining them to others, you can influence others' behavior and contribute to a more privacy-aware society.

Q & A

What is the main argument of the 'privacy doomers'?

The 'privacy doomers' argue that caring about privacy is pointless because big tech companies and governments have already collected so much data, making it impossible to achieve total privacy without going completely off-grid.

How does the speaker view privacy, compared to the 'privacy doomers'?

The speaker views privacy as something that exists on a spectrum, rather than an all-or-nothing issue. They believe in minimizing data collection rather than aiming for total privacy, arguing that small steps can significantly improve one's privacy.

Why does the speaker reject the idea of giving up on privacy?

The speaker rejects giving up on privacy because even though big tech companies have collected a lot of data, it's still possible to limit further data collection. They argue that protecting your data moving forward is important to prevent future harm.

What low-effort steps does the speaker recommend for improving online privacy?

The speaker recommends using privacy-respecting browsers like Brave or Firefox, installing an ad blocker like uBlock Origin, and using privacy-focused search engines such as DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, or StartPage.

Why does the speaker believe that privacy has gone mainstream?

The speaker notes that privacy tools, like DuckDuckGo, are now being advertised on mainstream platforms such as TV, and even large companies like Apple are highlighting privacy as a key feature in their marketing, indicating growing public awareness.

What is the importance of taking action regarding privacy, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that taking even small actions, such as switching to a more private browser or not using Facebook, can have a positive influence on others. They argue that individual actions help bring more awareness and promote the development of privacy tools.

How does the speaker criticize the 'privacy doomers'?

The speaker criticizes 'privacy doomers' for being overly pessimistic and argues that their stance is often a coping mechanism for inaction. They believe this pessimism contributes to a worse outcome because it discourages people from making any effort to protect their privacy.

What role did Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations play in the privacy debate?

Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations exposed the extent of mass government surveillance, showing how governments collaborated with tech companies to monitor online activities. While these revelations shocked many, they also led some to feel hopeless about protecting their privacy.

Why does the speaker think the argument that 'it’s too late to care about privacy' is flawed?

The speaker believes this argument is flawed because, even though much data has already been collected, people can still take steps to prevent further data collection. The speaker likens it to installing locks on your house after a burglary to prevent future theft.

How does the speaker balance convenience and privacy in their personal life?

The speaker acknowledges the need for compromises, such as still using WhatsApp to stay connected with friends. They argue that striving for better privacy doesn’t require perfection but should focus on minimizing the data shared with big tech companies.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 The Privacy Doomer Mentality

The first paragraph introduces the concept of 'Privacy doomers,' individuals who believe that online privacy is futile because big tech companies like Google and Facebook have already collected vast amounts of personal data. The speaker reflects on why people adopt this perspective, referencing the 2013 Snowden revelations that exposed massive government surveillance. Despite the alarming findings, the general public continued to use tech products, largely due to convenience. The narrative shifted from disbelief to acceptance, making privacy advocates feel like their efforts might be in vain.

05:01

🛠️ Privacy is a Spectrum, Not All or Nothing

This paragraph discusses the misconception that online privacy is an all-or-nothing endeavor. The speaker argues that while it's impossible to achieve perfect privacy without going completely off-grid, small steps can make a significant difference. Simple actions like using a privacy-respecting browser, blocking trackers, and minimizing data sharing can greatly improve one's privacy. The goal is to find a personal balance between privacy and convenience, rather than giving up entirely because total privacy isn't achievable.

10:02

🔒 Take Action to Minimize Data Collection

Here, the speaker emphasizes that while big tech companies have already collected a significant amount of data, this shouldn't discourage people from taking steps to protect their privacy moving forward. Using the analogy of securing a house after a break-in, they argue that it’s never too late to start caring about online privacy. Companies are investing billions to collect even more data, not just on past activities but to predict future behavior, so cutting off data collection now still matters.

📈 The Growing Awareness Around Privacy

This paragraph highlights the shift in public awareness about online privacy. The speaker points out that privacy tools and discussions have gone mainstream, with more accessible options like DuckDuckGo and Brave browser becoming popular. Even tech giants like Apple are marketing privacy as a key feature. As more people care about privacy, more alternatives emerge, offering better protection. The speaker encourages critique of these tools while acknowledging their progress compared to invasive options.

🌱 Small Actions Can Make a Difference

The final paragraph concludes with a message of optimism. The speaker refutes the idea that pessimism is a smarter or more realistic perspective, instead framing it as a form of inaction. They encourage people to take small but meaningful steps, such as using privacy-focused tools and spreading awareness to others. These actions contribute to a larger movement that pushes back against the privacy-invasive status quo. By simply caring, individuals can influence others and help improve the digital landscape.

Keywords

💡Privacy Doomers

Privacy Doomers are individuals who believe that protecting online privacy is futile because companies like Google and governments already know everything about us. This term reflects the video's theme of skepticism toward privacy efforts. The video addresses the pessimistic outlook of Privacy Doomers, arguing that although complete privacy is difficult, it is not an all-or-nothing situation.

💡Mass Surveillance

Mass Surveillance refers to the large-scale monitoring of people's online activities by governments and corporations, as revealed by Edward Snowden in 2013. In the video, it is used to explain the extent of online privacy violations and the feeling of helplessness that leads people to stop caring about privacy.

💡Big Tech

Big Tech represents major technology companies like Google and Facebook that collect vast amounts of data from users. The video highlights how these companies profit by tracking users, reinforcing the argument that protecting privacy is important despite how much data has already been gathered.

💡Convenience vs. Privacy

This concept addresses the trade-off between the convenience of using popular platforms like Facebook and the loss of privacy. The video explains that many people continue using services that track them because it's too convenient to stop, even though they are aware of the privacy risks.

💡Snowden Revelations

Edward Snowden’s revelations refer to the 2013 leaks that exposed how governments, particularly the U.S., were conducting mass surveillance of citizens’ digital communications. This event is a key example in the video to show how far-reaching privacy violations are, yet it didn't provoke widespread change in people’s online habits.

💡Privacy Tools

Privacy Tools are resources like privacy-respecting browsers, search engines, and encryption services that help users reduce the amount of personal data they share online. The video lists examples such as Brave, DuckDuckGo, and ProtonMail, showing how easy it can be to improve privacy with minimal effort.

💡Data Collection

Data Collection is the process by which companies and governments gather user information from online activities. The video emphasizes that, while much data may have already been collected, it’s still important to minimize the collection of future data by using privacy-conscious tools.

💡End-to-End Encryption

End-to-End Encryption is a method of secure communication where only the communicating users can read the messages. The video mentions this technology as an example of how privacy tools have become more accessible to the average person, making it easier to protect their communications.

💡Mainstream Privacy Awareness

Mainstream Privacy Awareness refers to the growing recognition of privacy issues in the general public, as shown by ads for privacy-respecting services like DuckDuckGo. The video argues that this increasing awareness demonstrates that more people care about privacy now than ever before.

💡Threat Level

Threat Level in the context of privacy refers to the level of risk or exposure a person is willing to tolerate regarding their personal data. The video encourages viewers to find their own acceptable level of privacy and adjust their behaviors accordingly, rather than aiming for perfect privacy, which is nearly impossible.

Highlights

The argument that it's pointless to protect privacy because Google already knows everything about you.

The belief that privacy is impossible unless you go completely off-grid and live in the woods.

Introduction of 'Privacy Doomers,' individuals who think that caring about privacy is futile.

Reference to Edward Snowden's 2013 leaks revealing mass government surveillance and its wide-reaching impacts.

How the US government monitored Americans' online activity, and how other governments did the same.

Most people were indifferent to the revelations, continuing to use products like Google and Facebook despite knowing about surveillance.

The convenience factor as a reason for people ignoring privacy concerns.

The false belief that privacy is an all-or-nothing deal and that small steps don't matter.

The notion that privacy doesn't have to be extreme and that small changes, like using privacy-respecting browsers or blocking trackers, make a significant difference.

The analogy of securing a house after it's been broken into, showing why it's still important to care about privacy even after data has been collected.

Mainstream awareness about privacy is growing, with more people choosing privacy-respecting tools like DuckDuckGo and Brave.

The availability of more privacy-respecting tools today compared to 5-10 years ago.

The influence of individual actions on others—how even simple decisions, like not using Facebook, can raise awareness about privacy.

Criticism of 'Privacy Doomers' for their pessimism and for giving up, which the speaker argues only makes the problem worse.

Encouragement to take action and use privacy tools, rather than succumbing to defeatism, which can still make a difference.

Transcripts

every time I post a video about online

privacy I always hear from these types

of people what's the point in trying to

protect your privacy Google already

knows everything about you they've

already collected so much information

about you already just give up it's

impossible to have any privacy unless

you go completely off- grid and live in

the woods so why bother if you've seen

some comments like this you might be

wondering are they right is there really

a point in caring about online privacy

or is it just inevitable that you'll be

tracked no matter what you do should we

just give up and because there's nothing

we can do about it anyway there's a big

movement that says that caring about

online privacy doesn't matter I call

them the Privacy doomers you know

doomers the Eternal pessimists that

think that giving up is the rational

perspective but let's take their

arguments seriously because I actually

understand where they're coming from in

2013 Edward Snowden leaked documents

that revealed that government Mass

surveillance was worse than anyone could

have imagined he came out with documents

showing how the US government was

monitoring vast amounts of Americans h

online activity the government was in

bed with just about every big tech

company and they could read through your

search history your email your Facebook

messages your text messages and just

about anything that you did digitally

Americans International Communications

could be monitored without a warrant

they cooperated and shared data with

other governments who were also doing

the same thing governments around the

world were collecting as much data as

possible about everyone no matter if you

were innocent or guilty and sure it was

massive news but the worst part was was

what happened next not much most people

just didn't care Google and Facebook and

the rest of big tech only kept growing

people continued to use these products

knowing full well that they were being

surveilled at all times why well because

it was too convenient you can't expect

someone to not use Facebook right and so

the narrative went from the government

would never care about tracking little

old me to well they track everything I

do but it's not like I'm doing anything

wrong people just accepted that they had

no privacy and moved on with their lives

and when you realize that the vast

majority of people are just too naive to

care it can make fighting for online

privacy feel like an impossible task the

war is over we've already lost time to

go home because how do you beat a

revoltion like the government is spying

on everyone at all times if that doesn't

wake people up nothing will because

things have only gotten worse since then

it's now extremely common knowledge that

big Tech knows everything about you and

that you pay for all the free sites out

there with your data but again nobody

cares everybody still keeps using them

companies make it explicit that your

privacy is for sale now there's even

products like this TV that you can get

for free you just pay by giving away all

your personal data to them and 500,000

people immediately signed up to get one

so normal people still don't care about

privacy even after everything has

happened it's over wow even I'm starting

to get a little bit pessimistic so I

understand where these people are coming

from if you only look at how bad things

have gotten things can look pretty grim

but that's not the full story let's

listen to the Privacy Doomer arguments

about why there's no point in caring and

see if they're right or not the most

common counterargument I hear is that

caring about privacy is worthless

because you'll never have total privacy

maybe you care about privacy and you use

a privacy respecting search engine and

email provider but yet here you are on

YouTube being tracked by Google that

makes all your efforts a waste right or

some people will go crazy because they

can't give up something like what's that

because their friends won't all switch

to signal so they should just give up

right but I think the issue is that a

lot of people see privacy as a black or

white thing but it's not an All or

Nothing thing if you want to Disappear

Completely you have to go completely Off

the Grid live in a cabin in the middle

of nowhere and become a ghost in the

eyes of big Tech and the government but

that's not my goal I'm not trying to

Disappear Completely my goal is just to

minimize the personal data I share and

you actually don't even need to put in

much work to improve your privacy by

aign

there's a lot of low hanging fruit that

a lot of people don't pick switch to a

privacy respecting browser like braver

Firefox install you block origin to

block trackers and use a privacy

respecting search engine like Brave Duck

Duck Go or start page that already

improves your privacy by a lot you

should just find the level of privacy

you need or want and get on with the

rest of your life because you have to

find the level of privacy that works for

you some people call this a threat level

but like I've talked about before

privacy is aect

and you don't need to be on the extremes

people think you either have no privacy

or you need Snowden level privacy but

they're wrong there's a whole range in

between if you no longer give companies

your browsing history allow them to

track you around websites with cookies

and give them access to all of your

search results you've already made a lot

of progress that's a lot of data points

that they're no longer collecting about

you and in determining the level of

privacy you need you have to make

sacrifices for the sake of convenience

for example I still use WhatsApp to

contact some people in my life because I

can't convince everyone to use signal so

I don't have perfect privacy not that it

exists anyway but I do the most I can to

minimize the data that big Tech can use

against me like I've said before don't

make perfect the enemy of the good just

because you can't go completely off the

grid doesn't mean you shouldn't take

steps to improve your privacy now I

could go Ultra paranoid and only use an

ancient libbre booted ThinkPad cut off

any friend that doesn't use signal pay

every transaction in my life with cash

and nuke my YouTube account but it's

just not worth it for me I accept that

some data is being collected about me so

the doomers are right in a way that data

is being collected about you and it's

virtually impossible to opt out

completely but I choose to minimize the

data that they can collect rather than

just throwing my hands up and giving up

people will also say that they've

already collected so much data about me

so what's the point and they're right if

you've ever used the internet before Big

Data probably has collected a lot of

info about you but that's all the more

reason not to give them any more data

the argument just doesn't make any sense

to me it's like you have a house without

any locks in it and someone breaks in

and takes all of your valuables would

you say oh they've already taken so much

it's too late to start caring about

security now or would you replace the

door and install locks in a security

system sure you've already given out a

lot of data you can't undo the damage

but you can prevent future damage and if

you think that they've already gathered

too much information about you if they

had big Tech wouldn't be spending

billions of dollarss to further collect

even more data about you it's not enough

for them that they just collect

information about your past they want to

be able to predict your future by

cutting off your data you're taking that

away from them a lot of people also

don't realize that caring about online

privacy has gone mainstream there's more

people that care than ever before and as

a result easily accessible privacy tools

have also gone mainstream a few months

ago I saw a duck duck goo ad on TV and

they were advertising how their search

engine was the private alternative to

Google and regardless of how you feel

about Duck Duck Go the fact is they're

much better regarding privacy than

something like Google and it really made

me realize just how mainstream the

discussion of privacy has become I don't

think 10 years ago you could run an ad

like that and have people care but these

days people are aware of the issues with

big Tech and are more likely to choose

the private option I was talking to my

brother a while back who was just a

normal person not a weird privacy

Advocate like me and I learned that he

uses the brave browser I did didn't have

to preach to him about why he should use

a more private browser he was just using

it because it was the superior choice

and as people become more aware about

how privacy is important there are now

more options than ever 5 or 10 years ago

if you wanted to put analytics on your

website I would have only thought to use

Google analytics but now if you want a

more privacy respecting option I can

name five different analytics services

off the top of my head that respect your

privacy so caring about privacy is

important because it brings awareness to

the issue the more more people that are

aware about it the more private

Alternatives people will create and use

the more other companies will learn that

privacy is something that people care

about now and as a result now even giant

corporations like apple are making it a

key marketing point that their devices

are more private and for all my

criticism about Apple they have made

some good privacy features available to

normal people if you want secure private

messaging you no longer have to be a

computer nerd and learn about

cryptography so you can endend encrypt

your messages now endend encryption is

the standard all over the place you can

use something like proton mail or signal

and send end to-end encrypted messages

in no time and if everybody did just

give up and nobody cared about online

privacy these tools wouldn't exist and

privacy would be inaccessible to normal

people so it's good that people did care

in the past and the more people do care

the more privacy tools and options there

will be and maybe you can start or

contribute to the next gr privacy tool

and I know some people might complain

that these services are not perfect and

sure critique them all you want as I

have done as well but they're still much

better than the Privacy invasive options

out there and again you're making

perfect the enemy of the good not only

that but by caring about privacy you

have an influence on other people even

if you don't think you have any

influence you can still make a

difference by choosing something as

simple as not having a Facebook I've had

to explain it to family and friends as

to why I don't have one and have made

others aware of why I think privacy is

important just an action as simple as

not having an invasive social media

account is a stance that other people

take notice of and you might start to

influence their decisions now if you've

watched any of my videos you know I can

be pessimistic about big Tech sometimes

I'm not saying just be a blind Optimist

and stick your head in the sand and say

everything is going to be fine but the

difference is I actually do something

about it I think there are good

Solutions we can Implement to mitigate a

lot of the surveillance and I don't

think the solution is to just lay down

and die if everyone thought like privacy

doomers none of this would even be a

discussion but it's because people care

that the discussion about online privacy

has gone from Fringe to mainstream a lot

of pessimists see themselves as smarter

than everyone else because they see the

world for how it really is but they're

really just making the world a worse

place by giving up and that's what a lot

of pessimism really is when you dig down

deep Just A coping mechanism for

covering up the fact that you're too

lazy to take action all you have to do

is take action instead of doing nothing

because just doing something as simple

as using a privacy respecting browser or

explaining to people why you have a to

toota email address makes a difference

the world needs more people who just

care don't be a Doomer