Allow me to use a leaky metaphor. We now know pretty well addiction has little to do with the specifics of the substances we abuse: one can be addicted to gamb

Allow me to use a leaky metaphor. We now know pretty well addiction has little to do with the specifics of the substances we abuse: one can be addicted to gambling or sex just as well as to various chemicals. However that argument doesn't mean heroin is safe or that one should approach opiates without care. I think the same can be said of smartphones: if the government or a company wants to track you they will find other ways to do that, but we're making it the game far too easy for them. Another issue is that smartphones are so pervasive that 1) it has become increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible to do some things without one; 2) the sole fact of choosing not to use or own one is suspect. So, yeah surveillance is not just about phones, but we need to have a serious discussions about whether it is at all an option to opt out and lead a normal life.