I suspect that to a great degree, people who say they have nothing to hid do have something to hide, but are trying to bluster their way out of closer scrutiny.

I suspect that to a great degree, people who say they have nothing to hid do have something to hide, but are trying to bluster their way out of closer scrutiny. The Ashley Madison thing is an excellent example, if anyone would commit suicide over having details of that nature leaked they certainly wouldn't admit to having anything of the sort on their conscience when discussing the matter with friends or family. It's a bit of a tricky situation because as has been noted upthread, the best practical way to maintain privacy is to simulate the ambient data noise. So in a sense, loudly proclaiming one has nothing to hide is the best strategy for keeping one's own privacy secure, but at the expense of everyone else's. I don't get into these conversations much, but if I do perhaps I should try out the response: "I don't have anything to hide either, but I know a lot of my fellow citizens value their privacy. So I'm willing to advocate for it even though I know it will lead to more scrutiny on myself. Anyone who's afraid of that extra scrutiny is suspect! What are you really hiding!?"