Why privacy will lose out to convenience

The debut of the iPhone 5s caused an uproar in the online community, with people slamming its lofty price, the lack of significant changes, low supplies, and one argument I found particularly interesting: the privacy issue with the new fingerprinting technology.  Whether Obama is behind this or whether the technology is truly a part of a bigger Apple conspiracy is not the point.What I am more interested in is the public’s demand for convenience and bespoke service that coincides with an irk for intrusion.Let’s take a step back from the mobile days: bell boys working at five-star hotels were taught to check guests’ luggage tags and pick up other physical clues to deduct their names and whether or not to refer them as Mr. and Mrs.Tailors have frequent customers’ measurements on file so they can drop off a ripped blazer and retrieve it within the hour.The restaurant around your block knows what “I’ll have the usual” means because you go every week after your late night shift.Convenience is derived from a bespoke familiarity to an individual, which is only possible after collecting and analysing – in most cases – abundant and relevant data.The same goes for the online and mobile ad world (let’s face it, nothing is ad-free now).If Facebook and Twitter don’t know where you live, what you like, what your friends like - how will they know what to show you?If PayPal didn’t have your last shopping information, credit card number and log-in, how can you check out with just one click?If you didn’t fill out your personal details on your Starbucks Card, the barrister wouldn’t scribble a warm-hearted “Happy Birthday” on your mug when the day comes.If the new iPhone didn’t have the fingerprinting technology, we’ll still be swiping a pattern or typing in a code.It’s just the same as our previous bell boy scenario: if the couple didn’t have luggage tags, he can only refer to them as sir or madam.Then why has what was once assumed as a prestigious service shifted focus to a big-brother threat?Perhaps it’s the ominousness of the digital realm; perhaps it’s the fear of information leakage; perhaps, especially in Asia, it’s an assumption for government spying; or perhaps the reluctance may just be against ads in general.Whatever the reason, the sacrificing of privacy for convenience is an age-old routine. Whether in the real world or on the digital one, it remains a double-edged sword.If consumers are really worried about privacy, they can limit the information they put online. In return, however, they’d have to give up speed of service and readily available options tailored to their needs.So while privacy is important and every piece of technology or digital hub should make sure its users’ information is kept confidential, users can’t demand the best of both worlds for even the best needles are not sharp on both ends.Images courtesty of 9GAG.com