Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World

I have worked in government for the majority of my career and I love this book. It defines the technology that makes up the information age in very simple terms that all can understand. It outlines the impact of the same on our humanity in ways that very few books dare to do. Bruce Schneier made his bones in information technology, yet isn't afraid to be an advocate for privacy rights. I am a supporter of the NSA. The technology at their disposal is amazing and it is only getting better. The potential to actively protect free societies is tremendous. Yet we need Mr. Schneier and others to explain how this power can be used and abused. One of my favorite sections was about how you can protect your personal privacy. Could that information be used by potential criminals? Perhaps for a time, but U.S. law enforcement has displayed a doggedness and willingness that compares well with other countries. I am better educated and more enlightened after reading this book, and that is all I can ask for.

Very well written and informative. I had no idea the extent to which we are all being tracked and our lives revealed every day. As Schneier points out we agree to a some of this through our use of technology that benefits us. Or that we at least consider useful in today's hyper-connected, techno-driven environment. The disturbing aspects involve the ways in which data about us is used without our consent or control and not to our benefit. But the author does more than just alert the reader to the dangers to our privacy and freedom but makes practical suggestions about positive actions we can take to address the issues he raises. In particular, we need to own our data, especially our own medical data. I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about their privacy and freedom and that of their families.

It is a meticulously researched, broad overview of how changes in technology and politics influence our privacy, security and freedom. As the author admits, elaboration of this text was inspired by Edward Snowden disclosing classified NSA materials, showing the extent to which people all over the world are invigilated by numerous government agencies. Bruce, a renowned digital security expert, was initially involved in helping journalists from The Guardian understand what was contained in more technical documents. The book is divided into three parts. The first one describes our world, where every appliance is a computer, everyone is connected, there’s an app for everything - all resulting in enormous amounts of data, pumped each second through the internet. New business models emerged, monetizing user data (e.g. via targeted ads) in exchange for free services. We have traded privacy for convenience. All that information being gathered - unprecedented in history - prompted some governments to deploy mass surveillance programs, theoretically in order to detect terrorist activity. Although Snowden’s whistleblowing relates mainly to NSA and UK’s GCHQ, there are strong clues suggesting that other world powers do the same. In second part, the author writes about negative effects of mass surveillance - notably the stifling of free speech - and what risks come from the abuse of power from secret agencies. Moreover, it is shown how data mining techniques are ineffective at finding terrorists, on the other hand being helpful in intimidating and controlling whole societies. Author focuses on privacy as an inherent human right, nowadays threatened by the fact that human interactions are losing their historically ephemeral nature; internet forgets nothing. As Bruce Schneier is deeply convinced that all those changes are mostly harmful - to personal freedoms, transparency of government and police work, democratic procedures, justice etc. - the book, in its last part, concludes with author’s proposals on how to avoid more damage. Privacy and security can coexist; mass surveillance should be replaced with targeted one, allowed by warrant, along police procedures - not espionage (secret) ones. Companies should not yield to NSA claims to insert backdoors - so no bad guys can exploit them. Whichever company collects user data, should do so with transparent rules on how it is used. It is not yet too late to save privacy from waning - if only societies could see through free services and govt-instilled fear of terror, what is really at stake. Some derogate this title for being biased against US federal agents, sworn to protect the country from terrorist threats and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. I would like to point out that the author does not negate the patriotic intentions of federal personnel; his criticism pertains to how whole agencies are organised (amassed power with little oversight) and how their recently-acquired mass-surveillance tools are not cut out for the job of finding terrorists. Those points are backed by numerous cited facts. On the other hand, it is not hidden that this whole book is an expression of Bruce Schneier’s beliefs; if he writes that privacy “is something we ought to have (...) because it is moral” - he does not have to elaborate too much on why he thinks that, does he? So, yes, the book might be called “biased” - as it supports the notion that some sacrifices, in the name of security, just can not be made. Personal freedoms are the foundation of western societies and must not be given away. I fully agree with Bruce - and suspect that a majority of US and EU inhabitants would too, have they pondered on what actually happened in the surveillance field in last two decades. This book really helps you in realising that. All in all, I seriously doubt that anyone could write such a convincing and well substantiated book which would oppose “Data and Goliath” message - but, perversely, I would love to see one ;) A must read. For literally each of us.

Did you know the United States Post Office photographs the front and back of every single piece of mail? And retains those images? That's just one of many jaw-dropping facts you'll find in this book. Bruce Schneier clearly delineates all the issues of privacy, data collection, mass surveillance, and the abrogation of your rights that are going on today. He is, thankfully, optimistic about the ultimate outcome of our society but cautions that we have a lot of work to do. And in the spirit of his recommendation we share this book as widely as we can I'm donating mine to the local library and you should too!

Excellent writing. I wish there were a little more citing of sources, however I undestand why in many instances it would be hard. A lot of the book is speculative, and Schneier is very up-front about that. What is absolutely clear is that the average social media user, online shopper, and typical modern human being is for sale. More spcifically our information, but by proxy what we like and who we are. I'd love to see HUGE leaps in legislation and enormour financial consequences for those who violate, but some of the problems come from law enforcement and national security that would prefer to leave us vulnerable so that they maintain access. In short, read the book.

Bruce nails it with an informed and balanced view of security and privacy of the online digital world. We live in interesting times!

Para todos aqueles que se preocupam com segurança e, principalmente, privacidade, esta obra é leitura obrigatória. Neste livro, Bruce Schneier, um dos mais respeitados especialistas em segurança digital da atualidade, descreve como a vigilância em massa ocorre. E não pense que ele se limita a coisas óbvias: ele apresenta fatos e detalhes de situações que muitas vezes nos passam despercebidas. Só como exemplo, normalmente achamos que um "grampo" de e-mails sempre leva em consideração o conteúdo das mensagens, mas na verdade, dependendo do volume de mensagens capturadas, o conteúdo das mesmas pode não ser tão importante, afinal, o emissor pode ter cifrado o conteúdo das mesmas. Neste caso, os metadados (informações como data, origem e destinatários) pode dar uma visão até mais detalhada sobre a vida e o comportamento de uma pessoa do que o conteúdo das mensagens propriamente ditas. Como? Bruce Schneier explica isso no livro, logo nos primeiros capítulos. Recomendo a leitura.

Ce livre est tout bonnement incontournable pour comprendre un des enjeux majeurs de temps et ses implications pour la société dans son ensemble. Bruce Schneier est peut-être l'un des meilleurs penseurs de notre temps. Il est malheureusement encore trop peu connu en France.

very interesting read ,it opens your eyes to all the new tech coming into our lives more and more .......... some very good advice is included in this book so I think it's a must read ,an education worth knowing

El libro está muy bien escrito para que las personas que no tienen muchos conocimientos sobre el tema realmente puedan entender la profundidad del tema y realmente te hace reflexionar sobre la importancia de tus datos para la empresas y los gobiernos y cómo se deben de tomar acciones para evitar un total control.