The Privacy Surgeon Strikes Back!
“This is a worrying discovery. Location is one of the most sensitive elements in anyone’s life – just think where people go in the evening. The existence of that data creates a real threat to privacy. The absence of notice to users or any control option can only stem from an ignorance about privacy at the design stage.” (http://www.christianmessenger.in/iphone-keeps-track-of-everywhere-you-go/) Simon Davies had never been one to bite his tongue when addressing the struggles of maintaining an anonymous life in this age of technology. In fact, he’s been going at it since the technological boom that began 25 or so years ago and has steadily outgrown the calls for security in the digital space. He may be up against a behemoth too big for his liking but that won’t stop the feisty Brit from taking on what’s seemingly becoming a growing cancer circling the world over.
Founder of the watchdog group Privacy International, Davies has circled the world becoming one of the worlds most decorated privacy advocates. In fact, since his early teen years Davies has taken up such causes as preserving national monuments, housing reform, and drug reform. It was twenty five years ago when Davies started the fight for privacy and has been stuck ever since. Davies created a brain space on the web proclaiming himself the Privacy Surgeon for his expert knowledge on the subject. His work in evaluating various company practices are well known but it is through his journalist work that has caused him to become public enemy number one to many companies around the world. With government agencies collecting information of historic levels, along with the recent leaks by former government agency workers, this privacy surgeon’s work has never before been more relevant.
Talking in thick British accent, Mr. Davies travels the world organizing events that raise awareness of personal rights and the big organizations that infringe upon them. “ Surveillance over our private lives has reached a dangerous new level.” he says with authority. He often write stories that more easily convey the issues at hand in a way even children may understand such as his fairy tale explaining the NSA. (http://www.privacysurgeon.org/blog/incision/a-childrens-guide-to-the-nsa-and-a-fairy-tale-for-the-rest-of-us/) You see it is Simon’s goal to stir a fire in people to take back what is rightfully theirs; privacy.
He recently took Google to task on their new privacy policy claiming the search giant is deceiving its users. He also went after them for getting in bed with the U.S. government, providing private and confidential information in the name of national security. “In the process Google formed strong operational and policy bonds with America’s secretive three letter agencies that go well beyond those of other companies”. It is not unusual to hear Mr. Davies railing a company for its practices and lashing out at them in public. After all, he is the head of a watch dog firm. He fights for the little people and takes on the big bad bullies. At least that’s what he would like you to think.
Already a controversial figure, Simon came under fire for endorsing a tech company called Phorm. Phorm is a UK based company that makes programs that gather ISP information profiles for advertising. When Mr. Davies gave the company a clean bill of health in their practices he claims he did so based on constructive conversations with the companies. When the company came under fire for using spyware Simon was put on the defensive. His claims that Phorm’s methods of keeping bits of information were the lesser of the evils most companies undertake when dealing with internet privacy were largely met with negative responses. Such is the life of a man trying to educate the world on Privacy matters. Whether it be in the home, workplace, or online, Simon is about one thing and one thing only; privacy! He believes real privacy does not and will not exist. In a world that is overrun by big governments and the internet increasing its hold on the population, a partnership of the two is Mr’ Davies worst nightmare. “The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either”. Twenty-five years in and Mr. Davies has only just begun.
For more information on Simon and his fight for privacy visit (www.privacysurgeon.org)
Founder of the watchdog group Privacy International, Davies has circled the world becoming one of the worlds most decorated privacy advocates. In fact, since his early teen years Davies has taken up such causes as preserving national monuments, housing reform, and drug reform. It was twenty five years ago when Davies started the fight for privacy and has been stuck ever since. Davies created a brain space on the web proclaiming himself the Privacy Surgeon for his expert knowledge on the subject. His work in evaluating various company practices are well known but it is through his journalist work that has caused him to become public enemy number one to many companies around the world. With government agencies collecting information of historic levels, along with the recent leaks by former government agency workers, this privacy surgeon’s work has never before been more relevant.
Talking in thick British accent, Mr. Davies travels the world organizing events that raise awareness of personal rights and the big organizations that infringe upon them. “ Surveillance over our private lives has reached a dangerous new level.” he says with authority. He often write stories that more easily convey the issues at hand in a way even children may understand such as his fairy tale explaining the NSA. (http://www.privacysurgeon.org/blog/incision/a-childrens-guide-to-the-nsa-and-a-fairy-tale-for-the-rest-of-us/) You see it is Simon’s goal to stir a fire in people to take back what is rightfully theirs; privacy.
He recently took Google to task on their new privacy policy claiming the search giant is deceiving its users. He also went after them for getting in bed with the U.S. government, providing private and confidential information in the name of national security. “In the process Google formed strong operational and policy bonds with America’s secretive three letter agencies that go well beyond those of other companies”. It is not unusual to hear Mr. Davies railing a company for its practices and lashing out at them in public. After all, he is the head of a watch dog firm. He fights for the little people and takes on the big bad bullies. At least that’s what he would like you to think.
Already a controversial figure, Simon came under fire for endorsing a tech company called Phorm. Phorm is a UK based company that makes programs that gather ISP information profiles for advertising. When Mr. Davies gave the company a clean bill of health in their practices he claims he did so based on constructive conversations with the companies. When the company came under fire for using spyware Simon was put on the defensive. His claims that Phorm’s methods of keeping bits of information were the lesser of the evils most companies undertake when dealing with internet privacy were largely met with negative responses. Such is the life of a man trying to educate the world on Privacy matters. Whether it be in the home, workplace, or online, Simon is about one thing and one thing only; privacy! He believes real privacy does not and will not exist. In a world that is overrun by big governments and the internet increasing its hold on the population, a partnership of the two is Mr’ Davies worst nightmare. “The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either”. Twenty-five years in and Mr. Davies has only just begun.
For more information on Simon and his fight for privacy visit (www.privacysurgeon.org)