PBA 4B

1984 Privacy PBA

Robert Reece 4B

In George Orwell´s 1984, the issue of privacy is a central theme throughout the book. In todays society, the issue privacy is playing an increasing role in public discourse. many shocking similarities can be seen between the world of 1984´s privacy and privacy in todays society.

Privacy in 1984

¨How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork. It was even conceivable that they watched everybody all the time.¨-1984 (5)

¨A Party member lives from birth to death under the eye of the Thought Police.¨-1984 (265)

¨You had to live—did live, from habit that became instinct—in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized.¨- 1984 (5)

These quotes show that in the world of 1984 your every action was constantly monitored, where the ¨thought police¨ know your every act, and where the concept of privact no longer exists.

Privacy Today

In todays society the majority of peoples´ personal information is collected online by companies and the goverment. 60 precent of Amerians do not belive it is possible to go 24 hours without having their data collected. according to a study published by pew reserch center ¨81% of Americans think the potential risks of data collection by companies about them outweigh the benefits¨. Privacy should be protected to avoid overbearing governments such as ¨the party¨ in 1984 and because it is the will of the vast majority of people to keep their privact out of the hands of the government and corporations.

(citations on page 2)

Citations

Auxier, Brooke, et al. “Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused and Feeling Lack of Control Over Their Personal Information.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, Pew Research Center, 17 Aug. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/11/15/americans-and-privacy-concerned-confused-and-feeling-lack-of-control-over-their-personal-information/.

Richter, Felix. “Infographic: 30% of U.S. Internet Users Share Their Home Address Online.” Statista Infographics, 5 Sept. 2013, www.statista.com/chart/1434/information-shared-online-by-us-internet-users/.

Orwell, George. 1984. London: Secker and Warburg, 1949.

Auxier, Brooke, et al. “Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused and Feeling Lack of Control Over Their Personal Information.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, Pew Research Center, 17 Aug. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/11/15/americans-and-privacy-concerned-confused-and-feeling-lack-of-control-over-their-personal-information/.