Data privacy: how to counter the "I have nothing to hide" argument?
I know data privacy is important and I know that big corporations like Meta became powerful enough to even manipulate elections using our data.
But, when I talk to people in general, most seem to not worry because they "have nothing to hide", and most are only worried about their passwords, banking apps and not much else.
So, why should people worry about data privacy even if they have "nothing to hide"?
tbf, that's just a reasonable position that a person can have. Your data is an asset, just like your bank account. If you wish to spend it for something in exchange, then do so.
My only concern would be if they were unaware of the potential risks. But most people are aware of the risks and choose to take them anyway. That is simply a choice they are free to make, ultimately.
When I encounter this, which is pretty rare, to be honest I just say “do you think it is right that all of us should have to live the exact same way you do? Or do you think people should be allowed to decide what level of privacy they want?” That pretty much at least gets a tacit nod. You just make an appeal to being able to choose how you live your life.