What's Private Depends on Who You Are and Where You Live

Citizens around the world are struggling with how to limit companies data usage on individuals; how private different types of information should be. But anthropologist have discovered how cultures have different views and norms for what private means. Many privacy concepts start with the body. Scientist have stated that each person has four zones. First is the intimate zone which is closest to your body, then a wider personal zone, then a socials zone and lastly a public zone. The size and solidity depends on the culture. For example, Mexicans have a smaller intimate zone than Anglo-Americans. For instance, if someone far away is speaking, the Mexican will move closer to get into the Anglo's intimate zone. The Anglo will perceive this as an invasion of personal space or of their intimate zone and back away. To the Anglo that seems like the normal reaction but to the Mexican they may feel like the Anglo's are standoffish. Another example is in many cultures, male friends will hold hands or touch each others upper body, while in other cultures that privilege is reserved for romantic partners. Bodily substances such as nails, urine, hair and saliva are generally extremely private things. Letting someone touch one of those things means you trust them fully. This is why in some places they spit on their hands before shaking them. One anthropologist lived in the Kekchi Maya village for a year and noticed a very different take on privacy. Many older women went topless, but nobody stared; families lived in one room houses and changed and had intercourse alongside each other but nobody looked, so their modesty was preserved. The houses had many gaps within the walls so anybody could look inside but they didn't. Like in Amsterdam, many windows on the bottom floor of houses didn't have curtains. The locals said this is because they expected nobody to look and even if they did, they wouldn't publicly talk about it. These examples show that even without walls it's possible too still feel like you have privacy if the tight-knit community upholds standards of public behavior as well as having social consequences for violations. However standards do shift often, for instance before it was regular to have one room houses and everyone share, but now in Europe and America it is normal for each kid to have their own room for "privacy". Also Americans used to rely on community rules  and local laws to protect their privacy but recently the government has made it so each person in individually responsible for their own privacy. This has made it easier for companies and ads to exploit people and make more money. Unless the government starts enforcing practical privacy laws, these companies will continue to make money off of people whether we like it or not.

https://theconversation.com/whats-private-depends-on-who-you-are-and-where-you-live-120557

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