Privacy vs. Security

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Many Europeans worry, sometimes to the point of paranoia, that their private information will fall into the wrong hands, and be misused. They fear identity theft, blackmail, even violence and threats.

It is not just personal data, but also our visibility – CCTV cameras and facial recognition, you may be caught on camera somewhere! What if our data, photos and locations, fall into the wrong hands! ?

We are entitled to have these fears, or rather concerns. But who are the wrong hands! ?

Let’s look at our governments. In recent history, perhaps the last 30 years. We in Europe have lived in democracies during this period. And yes! Most governments, especially in the last 10 years, have not satisfied us, and have not done enough to benefit their electorate! Not enough for the poor! and the low paid. Many young families now find their lives much more difficult, than the older generations, True! Our governments have recently done a lousy job. But in their defence, they have had to deal with the worst pandemic in history, a climate that is fighting back, war in Europe, and an ally that has crossed the red line in Palestine. Now, fascist ideals, are taking over in the United States!

But remember! we still live in democracies! Where we can all speak freely, complain and demonstrate without violent opposition!

Just because our governments have not done much to please us, is no reason! No reason, to vote for fascist parties! Once fascists get the power they want, our lives will change drastically! Then we will all be prisoners, in the wrong hands, and we will no longer be able to complain, without fear of being imprisoned, or suffering brutality. These are the wrong hands! for you, and me, and for our private information.

Despite their flaws. Our democratic governments are trustworthy! They will always do their best to keep our data and identities safe, and we should never fear a democratic government.

So please stop worrying about your data falling into the wrong hands. Allow our democracies to have central databases. Health records! Housing records! Facial recognition! Even our photographs and the times and dates we were in places. In addition! With central databases, we no longer have our data duplicated x times, all over the place, and it is much easier to protect the data, if it is all held in one place.

But why? Why, you might ask!

Because, not only is this data being held by democrats, who have no intention of misusing it, . We are also helping with the following issues, that have concerned or annoyed us!

1. Terrorism and Crime! can be much better controlled and prevented.
2. Your health problems can be dealt with easily and without delay (depending on staff levels) by any medical facility, anywhere in your country.
3. Bureaucracy! with centralised databases, think of all the repetitive forms that not only you and I fill in repeatedly, but our civil servants will already have this data, to give us permission to build, to drive a car, to pay our taxes, to apply for passports and much more. It could all be done so quickly. At much lower cost! And we would never be bothered by forms again.
4. Our regional and local governments would have much more time to do the important things. For example! Checking for illegal immigrants and dealing quickly with the deportation of those who are known to be dangerous. Fighting crime, and much more.

Please help save democracy, by not voting for fascists, and by allowing and enabling our governments to get things done properly. Thank you!