Privacy is dead, long live privacy! Two diverging perspectives on current issues related to privacy

Abstract

Privacy is a hotly debated topic in academia and society. The digitalization of our world has had enormous implications for privacy. Many researchers and public figures agree that privacy has changed substantially, that we are living in a post-privacy world, and that we need to address privacy differently. Others maintain that privacy remains a relevant concept – although facets and degrees of privacy have changed, its conceptual core and societal relevance have stayed the same. In this paper, we discuss the state and future of privacy, presenting two opposing stances on four central questions. Has privacy changed? Is privacy dead? Have we lost control over privacy? How should we react? With this dialogue we provide an overview of current positions on privacy, discussing divergent lines of reasoning and thinking, while also suggesting potential ways to move forward.