Privacy in the car, privacy on the computer?

[LucyDuke]

So let's say there's some way the gubmint could fill your car with cameras and audio recorders and devices that measure and record your driving, speed, use of turn signals, and so forth. Basically they can see and hear everything that goes on in your car, from your driving to your conversations to scratching your ass. They promise that none of that information would be used unless you commit a crime, but even if you do nothing wrong, they'll still have it.

So let's say there's some way the gubmint could record everything that goes on in your computer, every key you hit, every jitter of your mouse, every website you view, how long you take playing that game, what you burn to CD, what porn you watch. They record everything, and they have access to even the most minute detail. They promise that none of that information would be used unless you commit a crime, but even if you do nothing wrong, they'll still have it.

If you had to sacrifice your privacy in one of those, which one would you allow the gubmint to record? Even if you don't have a car or drive a car or whatever, just assume that you do, and you use it fairly regularly, for the sake of this exercise.

Replacing or using a different car/computer won't get the gubmint out, as they've gotten into all of them. You can't disable the monitors. Don't try anything clever!

A. I'd keep my car privacy and let the gubmint watch me on the computer.
B. I'd keep my computer privacy and let the gubmint watch me in the car.

Poll'll be up in a minute.

 

[Grisu]

'easy' decision, I'd let them monitor my car. They can derive a whole lot about me from watching my computer

not that I'd like them track me in my car either, of course.

 

[Brighteye]

I know I'm more likely to commit a crime in a car, but I still value my computer privacy more.
I'm already in public in a car.

 

[Masquerouge]

Man I voted wrong

I'd give away my car privacy without even thinking, particularly if it would help insurance companies start pay-as-you-drive insurances.

I don't see why even though I drive only 12,000 miles per year, I pay as much as someone who drives 30,000...

 

[Jokeslayer]

They can definitely watch me in my hypothetical car. Not that I do anything illegal with my computer, it's just much more personal than driving to Tesco.

 

[GinandTonic]

I know I'm more likely to commit a crime in a car, but I still value my computer privacy more.
I'm already in public in a car.

I agree.

Besides in the city centre and on the motorways they already have numberplate recognition.

 

[bhsup]

'easy' decision, I'd let them monitor my car. They can derive a whole lot about me from watching my computer

not that I'd like them track me in my car either, of course.

Swiss logic is hard to beat. I concur.

 

[nc-1701]

Yeah, no way I'm letting them near my computer, they can learn too much that way, so I have to choose car. I'de really be uncomfortable with being tracked like that though so I would cut driving as much as possible and never drive where I was actually headed, but park like a few blocks away and walk so the gubmint didn't know where I was going...

Really though I would probably be joining the local riots

 

[Swedishguy]

If they'd track my computer, they'd hunt me down and kill me. Besides, I don't have a car. (Why does every person on this board assume everybody has cars? Car-crazy yanks!)

 

[dot]

Swiss logic is hard to beat. I concur.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Benefactor]

I wouldn't want them keeping an eye on either, I voted computer, because I consider my computer privacy more important than my car privacy, however the car has been used in the past for criminal activity, especially speeding slightly.

 

[Zelig]

Computer privacy, for the reasons already stated.

And currently, there is no way to ensure car privacy, while computer privacy can be assured, so any relevant actions should be thought through accordingly.

 

[Rossiya]

In-car computers, anyone?

 

[Erik Mesoy]

I'd definitely prefer my computer privacy in this ridiculous hypothetical situation.

 

[Stolen Rutters]

I assume people are watching both and behave accordingly.

 

[Den Valdron]

Both would be absolutely unacceptable. Period.

 

[Yoda Power]

I don't speak my passwords aloud when I'm in any car. Nuff' said.

 

[BirraImperial]

I'd keep my computer privacy, for the reasons stated above from other posters. The only thing they'd learn from me would be that I listen to gansta hip-hop while driving.

 

[emzie]

If they'd track my computer, they'd hunt me down and kill me. Besides, I don't have a car. (Why does every person on this board assume everybody has cars? Car-crazy yanks!)

You're what? 16? Your parents have a car, no?

I would riot if the government tried to track me on my computer.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Both would be absolutely unacceptable. Period.

Yes, we realise this, and in practice I'd pick privacy in the car and simply disconnect my computer from the Internet, but this is a hypothetical situation.