Gregory's Server
Even if you specifically don’t have a high need for privacy, routinely using privacy tools — from ad-blockers and privacy VPNs to privacy focused messaging and ToR — is a huge help to people who DO have that need
Normalizing the use of privacy tools helps protect access to them, by undermining arguments that “only criminals use X”. It also helps to make anti-privacy restrictions less tenable for corporations, as they risk blocking or restricting too much legitimate/customer traffic.
There are also knock-on social effects of normalizing privacy. If using Signal, for example, is seen as just normal behavior, then it’s less likely to freak out an abuser when their victim uses it “for work”. If private email services are normal, then it’s less likely a corrupt org will flag it as whistleblower activity.
Do these advantages also mean it’s harder to find and prevent malicious activity and crime? Yep. And that sucks. But it’s a good trade: I’d happily miss a few criminals if it means protecting good people’s ability to escape danger or hold power accountable.
There are also knock-on social effects of normalizing privacy. If using Signal, for example, is seen as just normal behavior, then it’s less likely to freak out an abuser when their victim uses it “for work”. If private email services are normal, then it’s less likely a corrupt org will flag it as whistleblower activity.