There is a difference between privacy and secrecy. Privacy is “separate from the rest.” Secrecy is “a state of being hidden.” Privacy is the state of being unobserved. Private matters are traits, truths, beliefs, and ideas about ourselves that we keep to ourselves. They might include our fantasies and daydreams, feelings about the way the world works, and spiritual beliefs. Private matters, when revealed either accidentally or purposefully, may give someone else insight into the revealer.

Secrecy is the act of keeping things hidden. While secrecy may have shades into privacy, not all privacy is secrecy. Secrecy stems from deliberately keeping something from others out of a fear. Secrets consist of information that has potentially negative impact such as emotionally, physically, or financially on someone else. The one keeping secrets believes if they are revealed either accidentally or purposefully, the revelation may cause harm to him/her and possibly others. That which is secret may often contain an element of shame that private does not. We may keep something private for all kinds of reasons, but most of the time, we keep something secret out of fear and shame of what others would think if they knew. Privacy is voluntary; secrecy is not. Keeping something private is an act of choosing boundaries and staying comfortably within them. Keeping something secret is an act of hiding from the pain of disclosing something shameful.

Secrecy is destructive to a relationship and an individual’s self-esteem, while privacy can create strength and be personally instructive. Secrecy comes with quilt and fear, while privacy results in a stronger sense of self without guilt. Secrecy is about control and destroys trust, while privacy does not. Secrets are often about addictive behaviors, or old defense mechanisms, while privacy is more often about personal history, values, priorities, dreams, and visions of the future. The decision to withhold a secret, or to keep something private, is a choice reflecting our values and emotional maturity. Choosing to share a secret can be constructive, even though it may create conflict. Choosing to keep something private, is our right and privilege, however if we choose to share something personal, it has the possibility of deepening a relationship.

Why do I bring this subject up? Well, the NSA seems to feel that a policy of secrecy meets their objectives to spy on the American people without them knowing. Not even congress knew what they were doing. Why should we be concerned about surveillance? Because once a surveillance system is put into place, people in power who have this information may and can use it for their advantage. People or groups who they want compromised through disclosure can become an open target. A comprehensive, secretive system is open for abuse. Journalists need privacy to protect their sources. Whistleblowers, people with medical conditions, estranged wives of abusive husbands, asylum seekers and dissident refugees all need to be protected. Companies and/or agencies that collect private information can sell or relinquish this information to governments, agencies and/or groups that may not have your wellbeing in mind. When you consider the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, which protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures, only binds the government and not corporations, this is a serious problem we must address.