The right to privacy?

Most people recognize the value of privacy, and the right to keep their personal life out of the public view. But is such a right enforceable in the Internet age? With almost everybody carrying miniature recording devices that take both pictures and sound, and with the ability to upload these images for the whole world to see, and with miniature surveillance cameras in almost every public place and every place of business, privacy may be becoming a thing of the past. Certainly, politicians have learned that the slightest misstatement on or off the podium can have instant national repercussions. Wikileaks has shown that secret diplomatic talks are not necessarily so secret anymore. And the potential for malicious spying just for the sake of causing mischief is very great. Technology seems to be moving far faster than any possible laws capable of restraining it. Does this new situation require changes in behavior? Will we have to be a lot more careful about we say and do, in both public and private venues? Although we still haven't digested the full impact of these changes, it might be a good idea to try to live our lives so that everything we do can withstand the light of day, because that light might be shining on us sooner than we think.