Privacy and security are of major concern to every citizen of a country, and the lack of them often poses serious threats and risks to everyone who resides in any state. This is the exact reason people do their best to be more security conscious and protect their personal data in the best way possible.
This issue of privacy and security reminds me of a sci-fi series where a group of individuals control surveillance systems that give them eyes all over the country. This, in turn, enables them to use behavioral patterns to identify perpetrators of crime and stop them from carrying out their dangerous intentions.
Now, while I appreciate the positive and educational aspects of the series when power and surveillance are involved, I was also exposed to the complexities of a single entity or government institution having unfettered access to the genomic data and the day-to-day activities of every citizen. This exposure made me realize how dangerous it is for citizens to give up their privacy in exchange for security.
Let us take, for example, the Nigerian government. Over time, we have seen how power has been used for the wrong purposes, including tracing people on social media to their homes and intimidating citizens who dare to speak up against injustice simply because their information is easily accessible. Naturally, we ought to feel safe with our government, but in this situation where democracy is slowly becoming a distant reality, would it really be wise to allow the government have access to every detail of our lives? The answer is NO.
Governments around the world use citizens’ data to their advantage, regardless of whether they provide access to basic amenities. A clear example is the U.S. government’s involvement in data breaches with Meta, which raised concerns on social media for a long time. Now, if a highly respected government like them can engage in such activity, how much more ours? Especially knowing that we have leaders who do not prioritize our rights and dignity. Agreeing to such a trade would mean putting my life at greater risk for a government that doesn't care whether I live or die.
Imagine I accept this trade-off and at a latter time, I begin to have a different perspective or sensitive information about the present government, one that could encourage others to question the authorities and request accountability. In such a situation, would it be possible for me to think that the protection offered in exchange for my personal data would remain intact? Of course not. In fact, it could become an opportunity to silence or intimidate me. That is exactly how power works.
Given the history of governments across the world, it would be unwise to surrender my privacy simply because i trust them to protect me. I have also considered how personal data can be misused during wars, insurgencies, and for personal gain, and that alone is enough reason to protect my privacy with my life. The poor experiences I have witnessed and read about are as well, strong reasons I cannot entrust all my sensitive information to any government.
Lastly, it is every government’s duty to protect its citizens, and this should not come at the cost of total access to every detail of our personal lives. No authority needs unfettered access to footages of my daily activities when basic identification systems already exist in cases of emergency or crime. No one needs full access to my conversations, transactions, and travel history in exchange for my safety. While some governments may be more intentional about their citizens, many of them are still made up of flawed individuals who can be easily influenced to play on the wrong side. For that reason, I would rather defend my right to privacy than allow any government have unrestricted access to my personal life.
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