Can We Please Stop the Fear Mongering About Privacy?
If you’ve ever seen the 1979 comedy “The Jerk,” (also known as the funniest movie EVER) you probably remember the phone book scene. In it, Steve Martin’s character starts jumping for joy when the new phone book arrives.
“Boy, I wish I could get that excited about nothing,” his employer says.
“Nothing?” Martin says. “Are you kidding? Page 73 – Johnson, Navin R.! I’m somebody now! Millions of people look at this book every day! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity – your name in print – that makes people. I’m in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.”
Then – this is the funny part – a nearby sniper opens the new phone book, flips randomly to Martin’s name, and decides to hunt him down and kill him.
Why is this funny? Because stuff like this NEVER HAPPENS.
Reality Check
Sure, creepy sociopaths stalk and murder women via Craigslist ads. Then Lifetime makes a TV movie about it, and we all whisper about how a lack of privacy on the internet is responsible for bringing down civilization and how Facebook owns your soul and oh, the humanity.
Meanwhile, small business owners make up fake names and hide their contact info and delete their photos because the internet is full of pedophiles and rapists and stalkers, you know.
You know what else the internet is full of? Potential customers. People who are looking to give you money, because they need the product or service you provide. And if you don’t make it easy for them to contact you, they’re going to give that money to the competition.
It’s OK, though. You’re safe. The one out of every 381 violent criminals on Facebook can’t get you now, because they don’t have your phone number!
Unfortunately, it’s really easy to get your contact information in other ways. If an ex-boyfriend really wanted to stalk you, he needs only a halfway decent understanding of Google to get your phone number, address and a satellite view of your house.
Why It Doesn’t Matter
I’m not saying this to scare you – only to dissuade you of the notion that posting your contact information online makes you vulnerable. You may get a crank call once in awhile. You’ll also get calls from friendly folks who want to do business with you. That seems like a fair trade to me.
Sadly, every once in awhile an event stirs up people’s insecurities about internet privacy. Or some blogger suggests that one out of every 752 Twitter followers might be a robber.
I’m still going to take my chances. If you want to stalk me, you can find me at 3190 Cottonwood Court in Lancaster, Pennsylvania … the same address that’s listed at the bottom of every page on my website.
Bring cookies.
12 Responses to Can We Please Stop the Fear Mongering About Privacy?
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Thanks for this, Kelly. I’ve been thinking about posting a rant about privacy, and I still may, but you’ve made some great points that people need to hear. I’m sick of people hiding behind “veiled” accounts, etc because they are afraid of people finding them. When I write my post I’ll definitely be linking back to this one.
Ken Mueller recently posted…Best of 2010- 14 Ways Every Business Should Be Using Twitter
This is an awesome article (thanks Ken Mueller for reposting)! I can’t tell you how many times my lovely wife “reminds” me not to reveal anything about our family, house, trips, vehicles, pets, etc. lest some creepy anonymous stalker will come and bludgeon us all to death.
I don’t even know you, but would you marry me? jk
Great one, Kelly, and oh so true.
We hear so much whining about privacy on Facebook and the other social media. The fact is, if it’s out there on the Internet we just shouldn’t expect it to be anything but public. So let’s just make it easier for the good folks; the bad ones can get it anyhow.
As the Director of Merchant911, I’ve viewed well over 5,000 e-Commerce sites in the last 10 years. It’s amazing how many of them don’t post email addresses or phone numbers for their business and then wonder why the business fails.
I do believe privacy to be dead. At the same time, I do agree with you. People will find you if they want to find you no matter what information, or lack thereof, is out there.
I came here from Chris Penn’s site, and agree with him as well, to the points you mention above.
Matches Malone recently posted…It’s Not About Me
Haha, that might be the first time a blog post has inspired a fake marriage proposal … I must be on to something
Thanks, Ken! It’s one thing to be cautious, but another thing to lie. I think the marketing world still has a long way to go in terms of transparency.
Spot on Kelly!
“Bring Cookies” disarms the best critic.
You’ve got the recipe for a memorable post.
Rant. Credibility/relevance. Humaness.
Cheers to an open door 2011!
Thank you, Kelly!
I created my first web site in 1994. I’ve been blogging for eight years (as of yesterday!) And I’ve always been frustrated by people who literally freak out at the thought of being known by name.
In this world of pseudonyms and screen names and handles, they are appalled that I actually think it’s something of an ethical issue to be willing to stand behind my words.
I own an old group blog (which is stagnant waiting for some major software overhauls) and I have always required all the writers to use their actual, real world, physical names. I can’t tell you how many great potential contributors — even people who approached ME to write on the blog — wouldn’t do so.
What’s even funnier is that lots of them aspire to be published, in-your-hand, book writers. Huh? I asked if they’re going to use a fake name on their books, too. Uh…
Anyway, thank you for your part in shooting down the paranoia.
Happy new year.
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…Top 10 Gifts for New Bloggers
Seriously, less than 10 minutes after reading your post, I came across the opposite point of view from a blog I’ve never seen. Hah!
Why You Must Be a Liar Online
His basic premise is “there are bad people out there.”
Augh! Maybe you can get a dialogue going with him!
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…No More Roll-Over Goals
Thanks for putting this in perspective. I see a lot of people living in fear of this.
Do you like homemade chocolate chip cookies? My specialty!
Web is just like any other media – while I don’t see any reason for “fear mongering” as you put it – people do need to be careful about what info they provide about themselves.
Alex Sysoef recently posted…Improve WordPress Website Conversions Using Widgets
It is true that someone who is really after you can google your number, and whatever information is missing, can get the rest through Lexis nexis. But there is no reason to make the job of tracking you down easier for some crazy individual. I guess it all depends on a situation. If you are running a business and can benefit from people knowing you by your real name, there is nothing wrong with displaying it as it is. If you operating an online business there may be no need to tell the whole world who you are.
David @ Dallas Painters recently posted…Cost to paint exterior of the house in Dallas