Rethinking Privacy: Thomas Lingard Highlights Shared Responsibility and Tech Solutions

In a recent LinkedIn post, Thomas Lingard explores the evolving concept of digital privacy, moving beyond a purely individualistic view to embrace the idea of privacy as a shared responsibility. Lingard shares how reading Carissa Véliz’s book, ‘Privacy is Power,’ fundamentally shifted his perspective.

As Thomas Lingard notes:

Privacy as a shared responsibility was a new idea to me until I read Carissa Véliz’s book ‘Privacy is Power’. I had always understood it as an important right, but something personal, to be guarded at the individual level.

Lingard explains that Véliz’s work introduced him to the concept of privacy not just as a personal right, but as a ‘digital global commons’ to which individuals have obligations. This perspective is particularly relevant in the context of European data protection regulations, which Lingard acknowledges as a crucial part of the solution.

The Role of Technology in Privacy Protection

While regulation plays a significant role, Lingard highlights technology firms that are proactively building privacy into their products. He specifically praises Punkt., a Swiss technology company, for its commitment to privacy-first solutions.

Punkt. as a Case Study

Lingard points to Punkt.’s approach as an example of how technology can be leveraged to safeguard user privacy. He mentions their products, including a ‘dumbphone’ and alarm clock, as examples of devices that prioritize user privacy. He also references the Punkt. MC03 privacy-first smartphone as a positive technological development.

But what I love about Punkt. – the Swiss technology firm behind my treasured dumbphone, alarm clock and more – is that they lean in on tech solutions to privacy.

According to Thomas Lingard, achieving a balance between technological advancement and human welfare requires a multi-faceted strategy. This involves scaling the best privacy-enhancing technologies, banning the most harmful ones, and regulating the rest.

Addressing the Power Imbalance

Lingard expresses concern about the diminishing agency of citizens in the face of the immense power concentrated in large technology companies. He sees companies like Punkt. as important beacons of alternative approaches.

It can feel like our agency as citizens is declining faced with the concentrating power of big tech. So when European firms like Punkt. show us that other options are available, it’s certainly worth a repost.

He emphasizes that exploring and supporting companies that champion privacy is essential, especially on days like #DataPrivacyDay. Lingard clarifies that his endorsement of Punkt. is not paid, but stems from a genuine appreciation for their mission and innovative approach to privacy.

Additionally, Lingard provides a pointer to a resource for tracking enforcement actions against tech platforms in the EU, further demonstrating his engagement with the practical aspects of data privacy and regulation.