The debate over free speech, encrypted communications and privacy sometimes centres on a single claim: bad actors, like terrorists and child abusers, exploit private spaces, so encryption must be dangerous. This oversimplification ignores the deeper dynamics of human behaviour and power. Supporting free speech does not imply supporting heinous acts like child abuse or violence. In truth, eliminating privacy to try to prevent these problems creates a cure worse than the disease. Below, we explore why encryption and privacy are vital, even in the face of these challenges.
Encryption is akin to wearing clothes in public—a basic shield for dignity and autonomy. Forcing people to “strip” online by eliminating privacy is invasive and wrong.
The Misconception About Encrypted Spaces
The argument against encryption often stems from fear: private spaces can shield illegal activities like terrorism or child abuse. However, this overlooks a critical truth: these behaviours aren’t unique to encrypted platforms. They occur everywhere—schools, churches, governments, sports teams, militaries, and even in public settings. Often, they stem from what might have originally seemed to be innocuous beliefs or policies that contain logic which opens the door to denial of free will, which lead to harm when their consequences are traced.
It’s tempting to label entire institutions as corrupt and demand their control or dissolution. Schools, governments, and churches can harbour abuse, but shutting them down doesn’t address the root cause. Take child abuse as an example. The existence of schools or churches doesn’t cause abuse; it’s driven by internal dynamics within individuals — often a lack of empathy, respect, or care for others. These traits vary from person to person, but they’re the real culprits, not the settings where abuse occurs.
The Problem with Control as a Solution
The solution lies in fostering empathy and respect, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, while empowering individuals to exercise their free will responsibly. Ironically, restricting free will to “solve” abuse tends to mirror the control that abusers exert over their victims. By imposing surveillance or limiting privacy to catch perpetrators, we risk becoming perpetrators ourselves, undermining the autonomy of innocent people.
Consider a hypothetical scenario: suppose a small percentage of child abuse occurs in cinemas. To stop it, 'authorities' propose installing cameras and AI to monitor every interaction in real time. This might seem reasonable to some — it could catch some abusers. But the cost is staggering: everyone’s privacy is obliterated. Every conversation and moment in that space is recorded and scrutinized. This trade-off protects a few but strips everyone else of their autonomy.
Emotional Manipulation & the Privacy Trade-Off
This scenario reflects a broader tactic: emotional manipulation. Opponents of privacy have even argued: “If you don’t support surveillance, you don’t care about children.” Such arguments twist logic to justify control, much like justifications for supporting foreign wars as if doing so will somehow create freedom. Eliminating private online spaces to catch bad actors hands immense power to a select few — often anonymous entities — who control the surveillance systems.
History shows that centralised power tends to be misused. The Jeffrey Epstein case, with its ties to government and blackmail, exposes how those in 'authority' can abuse their positions. Assuming a group of “uncorruptible” overseers can monitor society without exploiting their power is naive. No such group is likely to exist and certainly cannot be proven to exist. The more control we grant them, the greater the risk of abuse under the guise of protection.
Alternatives to Surveillance
So, what’s the alternative? Banning cinemas or encrypted platforms isn’t the answer — abuse happens in countless settings, often where perpetrators feel safest, not just in private spaces. Instead, we should focus on prevention and empowerment:
- Education and Self-defence: Teaching children self-defence, both physical and emotional, equips them to protect themselves. Martial arts, for instance, build confidence and deter predators, who often target the vulnerable.
- Fostering Empathy: Promoting respect and empathy in society reduces abusive behaviour. Understanding why abusers act—whether driven by power, dysfunction, or heartlessness — helps address root causes rather than symptoms. At the very least, increased understanding will improve the odds for potential victims in numerous ways.
Privacy as a Cornerstone of Freedom
Privacy is not the enemy; it’s a cornerstone of freedom. Without it, we open the door to greater abuse, as unchecked surveillance enables manipulation and exploitation. Encryption is akin to wearing clothes in public — a basic shield for dignity and autonomy. Forcing people to “strip” online by eliminating privacy is invasive and wrong.
The argument for backdoors in encrypted systems — where only “trustworthy” authorities can access data—falls apart when you consider how often power is abused. Blackmail, corruption, and censorship thrive in systems where a few hold the keys to everyone’s private lives.
The Role of Blockchain and Transparent Systems
Blockchain-based platforms like Hive and the new Hive powered dApp 'Ureka' offer a better way. Their transparent, decentralized design allows users to verify the system’s integrity, fostering trust without sacrificing privacy. Unlike corporate social networks, which operate behind closed doors and enable covert censorship, blockchain systems are open for scrutiny. Encrypted messaging on such platforms, when implemented transparently, is no different from private conversations in a home—a fundamental right most people value.
Empowering Individuals, Not Weakening Them
The real issue isn’t encryption; it’s the misuse of power. Weakness, not strength, drives abuse, and disempowering people through surveillance perpetuates this cycle. We should promote autonomy and self-defence, as seen in martial arts philosophies that emphasize strength for protection, not domination. Cultural attitudes that discourage self-reliance—unlike, say, Switzerland’s mandate for citizens to own firearms for self-defence — can leave people vulnerable.
Even controversial figures like Andrew Tate tap into this desire for strength, though their actions show how easily it can be twisted without a foundation of respect. True strength lies in self-respect and respect for others, reducing the likelihood of abuse. By teaching people, especially children, to be strong and empathetic, we address the root causes of harm.
Encryption as a Tool for Peace
Encryption and privacy are tools for peace, not barriers to it. They enable honest communication and healing, which are essential for addressing society’s deepest issues. Censorship and surveillance, often justified as protecting the vulnerable, feed the same power imbalances that enable abuse.
The path forward lies in empowering individuals, fostering empathy, and maintaining transparent systems that respect privacy while addressing harm through education and accountability, not control. By balancing privacy with prevention, we can create a world where respect and autonomy prevail, reducing abuse without sacrificing freedom.
So let's join forces to create real change that's worth creating and put the building blocks in place for a stable and peaceful future.
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Wishing you well,
Ura Soul
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