My personal opinion on this issue is that we already have a pretty good sense of public/private spaces in the physical world. The problem is that most people as

My personal opinion on this issue is that we already have a pretty good sense of public/private spaces in the physical world. The problem is that most people assume that if your computer is in a private space (ie your bedroom) then it is also private. This is obviously not the case. What we need is to start building a culture of online privacy. Everyone should have access to an anonymizing VPN, should know how to use Tor and understand PGP. But just like it would be insane to never leave your bedroom and unlock your door, or always speak in a whisper, the same applies to online privacy. And the important thing is just because you are in your private space doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong or shameful. People use private spaces to snort lines of coke and plan bank robberies, but also just to have some time when they can think and not be bothered... or watched. People need to start using Tor just to browse the web and know they aren't being watched, that neither the government nor advertisers are building a profile on you. And just like physical privacy means less social, so does online. Online privacy should be about keeping anonymous. Don't talk about where you live, what your hobbies are etc. Be conscious of not leaving a trail of personally identifiable information (just like you close the blinds in your bedroom). It's not a question of always watched or always hidden, but being conscious of when we are being watched, and when we are free to say and do as we please.