We have privacy laws LARGELY because virtually every government (and its agencies) has proven itself completely UNTRUSTWORTHY with regards to respecting the laws and rights of private citizens.
All "rights" that people have fought and died for, for thousands of years, finally made a stand a mere few hundred years ago and the embers of hope were lit, burning dimly for a couple of hundred years, growing slowly brighter and reaching more people around the world.
We have been warned to "stay vigilant" to avoid both a slow erosion or vicious attack on hard won recognition that all people were worthy of a peaceful, safe existence, free from fear of marauding gangs or cruel, violent governments.
We've got it pretty good in North America. Or we did. The slow erosion is quickening and even those mostly asleep are stirring and nervously noticing, too afraid or in disbelief that the all knowing, all caring government would ever do anything to harm them.
The facts are, history clearly shows, that governments throughout time have, in wars or not, killed, starved, exterminated more of "their own" citizens than any criminal gang could or would. National police forces are used against the populations to intimidate, investigate and abuse people into submission. Even Canada has recent (and past) examples of this ongoing behaviour.
We wouldn't need privacy laws if we could trust people not to take our private information and use it for harm or profit BUT there are two groups that privacy laws are aimed at keeping on a leash.....criminals and.... government. If we REALLY could trust our own government and their agents to act with honour and integrity privacy laws would look very different.
The sad truth is the government and police forces are the number one reason why we need the laws because they have proven over and over they cannot be trusted to obey the spirit nor the letter of the law Continue reading 'Trust Us We’re The Government'»