Personal Privacy?

Lately been talking to a couple people who are more private about even everyday things than what I'm used to and was just curious if I'm just particularly open in certain ways than most or are most people in your experience tend to be more private? Like is a desire to keep your info private, more often related to past trauma or just a general trend? Like I have no problem posting my facebook here or even my address and full name. I wouldn't post my number for everyone because someone might get bored and prank call me. But I also know that anyone can find anything about me if they really wanted to even if I didn't post my info. I don't really care anyway. Also I tend to be very open because I want people to accept me for who I am and it just seems too much work to put on a "mask". What's your view on privacy? Are you worried about people knowing who you are irl? Have you had bad experiences in the past? Am I just weird?

Bottom line is if you use Facebook, Yahoo, Gmail or Youtube you should expect that they all snoop on EVERY piece of information and pictures you give out and share it among 3rd parties. They also have secret agreements with the government so they can also spy on you. It's only because I'm increasingly becoming a known figure in homebrew retro game development that I'm breaking down and use my personal image. Oh, yeah. And dating.

In my opinion, if you're afraid to give people your full name, and stuff like Facebook, etc, especially to existing acquaintances and friends, then something is wrong with you. I mean anyone can find anyone's personal information online, sometimes ALL you need is a first name, believe me I know. Me? I have no problem giving my full name, Facebook and other social media, even my email. I wouldn't post my phone number or address on a public forum, but I'm SURE someone could dig it up if they wanted. I too believe it's just too much work to put on a "mask" as well. But when it comes to couples? I can understand if they don't want to talk about private matters related to the relationship, etc, in all honesty I'm the way with my relationships: Private But you know what I find kind of "Dumb"? When you ask someone you know "Oh how are you and your boyfriend/girlfriend doing?" in a casual aspect, or something else "non-private" along those lines, and they flat out refuse to tell you claiming it's private, I personally find it insulting, but eh, to each his own. And one more thing I have to add. My girlfriend, knows a lot of people online, some of which she's known for like two years right? But get this: She doesn't know what they look like, doesn't even know their first names, and they don't know her first name either, etc. And it's like this with a lot of the people she knows, and it's not one sided either. It's fucking freaky in my opinion, how can you call someone a "Friend" while you AND they are being ridiculously secretive about themselves? They aren't even being secretive about the private/personal things either. Okay she does it cause she's afraid of stalkers, etc, she's had bad personal experiences, trauma, etc, that I can get. But the other people? the at least 8+ different people? Some of them are just plain fucking shady if you ask me. Lol. I'm all for privacy and personal space, especially if you're a victim of trauma, but if you can't even talk about daily things, and you have to keep them private, and not show someone the real you, then you just shouldn't be talking to anyone. Period. TL;DR. I respect people's privacy, especially regarding relationships, if it's actual private things that is. But people who have to keep normal, daily, "non-private" things a secret, shouldn't be talking to people at all.

I don't care about the government, they are going to snoop regardless. Just talking about people in general. Yeah, being famous on some level does tend to attract more attention and cause more issues. I'm pretty boring so I don't expect much attention from random people anyway.

I don't like giving out information. I don't even like giving out my first name. I don't see it as a mask, I'd just rather not have anyone stalking my profiles and such. Wouldn't want the whole world to know where I live or who I am. I like feeling secure.

I'm glad you realise that it's your own personal opinion Shinyumi. Stalkers, blackmailers and trolls do exist. I've dealt with them in the past. Women get it much worse. It's not wrong to protect yourself. As they say: just because you're paranoid they're after you doesn't mean you're wrong.

^I can understand wanting to feel secure. I guess I don't feel insecure with anybody knowing, because who cares anyway? And what would anyone online do with that info that would negatively affect me? But also I'm a guy and I expect girls to be more cautious anyway. But just because I'm a guy doesn't mean anything really. Someone could still kidnap and rape me but why should I be worried about random people online vs all the people irl who see me coming ang going all the time? Any of them could by psycho (especially since I live in a crappy trailer park)

People can follow you around the Internet and harass you. Eventually they can find where you live and where you work. They can harass your family and friends. Get you accused of all sorts of wrongdoing and ruin your rep. If they're even a little decent they can hack into your computer and use it remotely. This does happen.

jas is absolutely right regarding his last post, not only does it happen, but it happens more than people realize. Heck, even the average person can do all of that these days, including the remote access. It's both scary and just plain depressing.