Privacy isn't Dead but Facebook Might Be

Some say privacy is dead. For a while, I thought so too. In an age where more than 90% of all the world’s data was created in the last 2 years and where we are increasingly and more easily sharing lots about ourselves and friends, the easy thing to do would be to completely give up on the idea of having strong controls over our data — particularly if giving up control means that you can access lots of free products like Facebook, Gmail, and Snapchat.

However, if it is the case that the world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data, and if it is also the case that the volume of data we are all creating is growing at an accelerating pace (for example connected cars may produce up to 25 gigabytes per hour), then a case must be made for being more responsible about how this data is stored, used, and shared.

Facebook is having a difficult time right now because information it held on 50 million users was compromised through overly permissive and negligent controls. Earlier this week I wrote that everyone loves an underdog ‘til they make it. Well, Facebook is no longer a dorm-room startup. It made it big time. But at this stage it’s hard to love the business because it has failed to become more responsible despite the gargantuan amount of personal data it holds on 2 billion people.

Personally I am long on privacy. It’s why I find startups like Hazy compelling and why I use Telegram as much as Whats App. Indeed, if you are founder working on a startup that takes privacy seriously feel free to contact me.

We are creating more data than ever yet the pace at which we are becoming more responsible with it is far behind. This is why we are seeing so many data breaches. In my eyes privacy isn’t dead. But companies like Facebook just might be.