What is Privacy?

Conversation 1:

Friend 1: So I heard about this new site that is being advertised on TV? What do you think about it?

Me: There are some leaks regarding that site. Those leaks say that they are tools used for spying on us.

Friend 2: Really spying on us? It must be rumors.

Me: You all must have read in the news about Edward Snowden and what he revealed. Somehow it is related to it.

Friend 1: Ya I did see that news is he somehow related to Wikileaks?

Me: No. He is completely seperate.

Friend 2: But what harm will it cause us? So what if someone sees my private chats?

Me: You really want someone spying and seeing your private chats?

Friend 1: I am not a terrorist. So what if they do see my private chats?

Me: Someone can still use it against you.

Friend 1 & 2: (Unanimously) So what? Let them see. It won't harm us or benefit them.

Conversation 2:

Friend 1: So it seems a law is being proposed wherein we cannot delete our chats. It could be illegal.

Me: That's like invading our privacy

Friend 1: Yes, but don't our intelligence agencies already know what chats we are having?

Me: They have not got the access as yet. Although they did have access to one of the chatting apps in the past.

Friend 1: Yes but what's the harm in them looking at our private chats. As far as it is for national security I wouldn't mind it.

Me: Would you really like someone snooping on you 24*7? And how will it help the nation?

Friend 1: Look at the recent case. Someone joined the ISIS from here. If our intelligence agencies had access then they could have prevented it. Maybe if they had access to the chats of various friends of those recruits then they could also know whether others were influenced.

Me: Firstly our intelligence agencies don't have the manpower and resources to check everyone's chats. They don't even know how to handle the computer properly. But even if they did, they still have informants to inform them about any activity.

Friend 1: Informants are so old.

Me: Informants will give proper information. At least intelligence agencies won't go bonkers on any information floating in social media or any private chat.

Friend 1: That's there. But anyways its only a proposed law.

Friend 2: (Interrupting) Similarly there was a scheme in our country that not only helped record the number of people in the country.  It had many benefits than drawbacks. It was set aside due to privacy issues. Other it could have helped bring down the crime rate and increased conviction rate.

Me: The scheme has not got any protection on government sites. Its open for all spammers and stalkers to snoop on people. It will be misused.

Friend 1: Yes that kind of information should be accessed by only a few people in the central government and those misusing it should be punished.

Me: Those who misuse will be punished? We have already seen in the past how governments have misused our money? How many have been punished? Some have gotten clean chits. Besides you also want girls to be snooped on?

Friend 1: Girls or boys whats the difference? There are girls who are criminals.

Me: And how many crimes are planned on social media outlets or private chats?

Friend 1: Many

Me: Any hard evidence?

Friend 1: Not much but look why was the internet connection banned in one of the states? Many people used Whatsapp to invite others to a protest/event.

Me: Exactly. To quash opposition and give the people all the more reasons to oppose the government.

Friend 1: There were bomb blast incidents in the past. Couldn't that have been prevented?

Me: Ok. What if I have an objection to me being snooped upon by the government? Any law or court that I can approach to stop from being snooped upon?

Some events that have taken place:
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-couples-picked-up-from-hotel-rooms-charged-with-public-indecency/16437186
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/right-to-privacy-not-a-fundamental-right-centre-tells-supreme-court-784294
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/no-ban-on-sale-of-meat-in-maharashtra-as-supreme-court-declines-to-interfere-with-bombay-high-court/

I wonder whether the situation is similar in other countries where people do not know what privacy means and what exemptions are there for the same.