End of Privacy as a Social Norm

In 2010, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg claimed that privacy was no longer a "social norm"; that people had become so comfortable sharing more information, more openly and with more people, that the notion of holding back and protecting personal information was antiquated, even obsolete. Technological and societal threats to privacy have only increased since then. Sceptics and certain sections of the media would have you believe that those who seek to assert their right to privacy must have something to hide - they are branded as "furtive", "evasive" or "secretive". Yet the human right to respect for private and family life is intrinsically connected to our respect for human dignity and autonomy. Although the technological and societal threats to privacy are greater than ever, privacy is not dead and is worth fighting for.

Welcome to the digital age, where our lives are intertwined with technology in ways we could have never imagined a few decades ago. The dawn of the internet, smartphones and social media has revolutionized how we communicate, build relationships and navigate the world. Today, social media platforms have become the new town square, where people gather to share news, opinions and personal updates. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok are not just platforms for entertainment; they are powerful tools for social interaction.