Nothing to Hide

Whenever you go online, you are not alone. Your Internet activity is likely to be snooped by corporate and government security agencies. It’s an insidious form of espionage that most people don’t see. Others claim they don’t care who is watching their web searches or collecting data from them. After all, they claim they don’t have any valuable secrets. The feature-length documentary “Nothing to Hide” outlines the flaws behind this common view, and why modern online convenience should not come at the expense of individual rights to privacy.

Many who raise serious online privacy concerns have been dismissed as outlandish conspiracy theorists. But from a movie standpoint, her paranoia is grounded in reality. The film interviews consumer advocates, sociologists, a former member of the National Security Agency (NSA), and a range of consumers who have experienced the dangers of online surveillance.

The focus is on a young man who has seen little damage in practice. Like many others, he likes to quickly scan the terms and conditions when installing apps, risking every online activity being monitored.

He agrees to take part in a fascinating experiment for the film. His phone and laptop were tracked for 30 days, and his metadata was shared with analysts similar to those employed by companies and organizations that specialize in monetizing personal data. What will the data reveal about his personal dealings, likes and dislikes, and the cornerstones of his daily life and relationships? Will he feel differently about online surveillance once he gets a real feel for what he’s giving up?

The film argues that the practice of surveillance and our willingness to reveal private information is not just a tactic against advertising. In fact, it’s a gateway to George Orwell’s dystopian future. Information gleaned from our online activities can be used to hinder our employment opportunities, jeopardize our financial health, and threaten more than just our free speech.

Directed by: Marc Meillassoux