Lets face it, governments and corporations are satisfied with the status quo. If the world is going to change for the better, we the people will have to organize our collective strength and get those in power to budge. As Gezi, Tahrir Square, and Occupy (not to mention the daily work of organizing for change around the world) have shown, the internet is increasingly crucial to the power of the people.
But its not just about saving the world. Edward Snowden revealed that the NSAs illegal surveillance program allowed the US government to listen in on any of us, whatever the reason. If governments the world over have the tools to watch our activity online, what happens to our basic rights?
But there are ways to protect our privacy online. Thats why a coalition of web sites, companies, and rights groups ranging from Amnesty International to Greenpeace USA, has begun a campaign to #ResetTheNet. Today, one year to the day after Snowdens first revelations, ResetTheNet goes live. The goal is to get as many people as possible to pledge to protect their own privacy.
Its about rights, and its about responsibilities, too. The more we all protect ourselves, the more those we care about, those we communicate with, and those with whom we share information online are protected too.
To find out what you can do to protect your internet privacy, visit ResetTheNet. Sign the coalitions petition, and consider downloading the security pack for your computer and mobile devices. If you run a website, consider installing tools that make mass spying more difficult.
Please also think about joining Greenpeace USA and the entire ResetTheNet coalition on a big social media Thunderclap today, so that this message reaches as many people as possible.
Rights do not come in neat little individual packages. Social justice and a healthy environment are intimately tied to free speech and assembly and communicating with your peers without being spied on by governments.
Lets all protect ourselves and each other and get back to the business of living our lives. Yeah, and saving the world, too.
