In a recent conversation with some friends, an increasingly common topic came up: the control over our movements and our daily lives. Where we are, where we go, what we do, what we say, and, in some cases, even what we think. The reactions were very mixed. Some showed clear concern, bordering on paranoia. Others, on the other hand, saw no problem and considered the matter irrelevant.
As is almost always the case, reality lies somewhere in between. I believe that privacy is neither total nor nonexistent.
Those of us who live in democratic societies with certain legal guarantees enjoy a reasonable level of privacy. But let's not be fooled: it's not absolute privacy, not by a long shot. Much of the information collected about us is not obtained through direct state surveillance, but because we voluntarily hand it over through our digital devices.
The mobile phone is the best example. It's an extraordinary tool, but also the biggest generator of personal data ever created. There's no need to monitor us: we already do it ourselves.
The authorities don't need to keep a close eye on us. Companies already do it, and much more efficiently. Every time we use an app and accept its terms and conditions—usually without reading them—we grant access to data that goes far beyond what's strictly necessary for the app to function.
That's the real business, actually. Our data. There are specialized companies, called data brokers, that collect information from multiple sources, cross-reference it, analyze it, and sell it. Consumption habits, approximate location, daily routines, interests, relationships… everything has commercial value when aggregated on a large scale.
What if I turn off location services? Many people think that simply turning off GPS is enough to make us disappear. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Mobile carriers know at all times which cell towers our phone connects to, allowing them to estimate our position with considerable accuracy.
Furthermore, there are easily detectable patterns. We spend most of our time in two places: our home and our work. From there, algorithms deduce our movements, schedules, and behaviors with surprising accuracy.
This isn't science fiction; it's data analysis. Without obsession, but without naiveté.
It's not about living in anguish or falling into conspiracy theories. But it's also unwise to be naive. Leaving a constant digital trail has consequences, even if we aren't always aware of them.
There are simple steps that help:
. Review app permissions and don't grant unnecessary access.
. Only activate location services when absolutely necessary.
. Limit your phone use when it doesn't provide real value.
The problem isn't technology, but how we use it. Our phones should be at our service, not the other way around. Use them when we need them, not out of habit. The less we use them unnecessarily, the less they know about us and the less they profit from our information.
Ultimately, it's not about prohibitions or fears, but about conscious decisions.
Let each person choose how far they want to go.
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