Portrait of Eric Schmidt
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Eric Schmidt on Privacy

Dismissive early stance (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Eric Schmidt famously argued users should avoid sharing what they wish to keep private in the first place.

Key Points

  • In 2009, Eric Schmidt stated that if you have something you do not want anyone to know, you should perhaps not be doing it at all.

  • Critics pointed out the hypocrisy of his stance, noting he once had CNET reporters blacklisted after they published details about his salary and neighborhood.

  • Following his initial comments, he was later reported as saying users must actively fight for their privacy or they will lose it.

Summary

Eric Schmidt's position on privacy has been characterized by highly controversial statements made during his tenure as Google CEO, most notably in 2009. In response to questions about users sharing information as if with a trusted friend, he stated that if someone has something they do not want known, they should not be doing it. This core stance suggests that privacy is fundamentally the user's responsibility to maintain by self-censoring behavior, rather than a right that technology companies must actively protect. Critics argued this view failed to distinguish between what is secret and what is merely private, and ignored potential future abuses of collected data.

Subsequently, there is evidence that Schmidt's own actions contradicted this philosophy; he reportedly blacklisted reporters who published information about his personal life derived from public searches, suggesting he valued his own privacy. Furthermore, some reporting indicates that Schmidt later acknowledged the necessity for individuals to fight for their privacy, implying an evolution from his initial, more dismissive position. This shift points to a more nuanced, though perhaps reluctant, acknowledgment of privacy as a liberty worth defending against overreach by authorities and corporations alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eric Schmidt's most prominent position on privacy, especially during his time at Google, was that users should simply refrain from actions they do not want others to know about. This was often seen as placing the entire burden of privacy protection onto user behavior rather than corporate responsibility. However, later statements suggested he believed users must fight to protect their privacy rights.

Evidence suggests that Eric Schmidt's stance has evolved over time. While his 2009 comment dismisses the need for systemic privacy protections, he later expressed the view that individuals must actively fight for their privacy. This implies a shift from a purely user-centric responsibility to recognizing the need for a defense of privacy liberties.

The most controversial statement from Eric Schmidt occurred in 2009 when he said, "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place." This comment drew heavy criticism from privacy advocates who argued it ignored the difference between private and secret activities.