Why Privacy and Accountability Trump Security

Abstract

In this paper I will argue that establishing and maintaining practices promoting privacy and accountability will typically trump security concerns. While it is true that in specific instances security may outweigh privacy, this is not true once we glance upward to the level of practices. Along the way I will present and critique four prominent pro-security arguments entitled: “Just Trust Us,” “Nothing to Hide,” “the Consent Argument,” and “Security Trumps.”

Keywords: privacy, security, accountability, privacy rights, surveillance, nothing to hide, just trust us