It's so cheap to store all data. It's cheaper to keep it than to

In the vast realm of human communication, there lies a power that has existed since the dawn of time—the ability to record and preserve words. In the ancient world, scribes would etch important decisions, thoughts, and agreements onto stone or papyrus, ensuring that the words, once spoken, were never lost to the winds of time. However, the technology of recording was limited by the material world—texts could be lost, damaged, or destroyed. Today, Mikko Hypponen speaks to the transformation that has taken place with the rise of modern technology: "It's so cheap to store all data. It's cheaper to keep it than to delete it. And that means people will change their behavior because they know anything they say online can be used against them in the future." These words reveal not just the technological evolution of storing data, but the deep impact it has on the way we live, think, and communicate.

The concept of the permanent record is as old as civilization itself. In ancient Babylon, laws were inscribed on the Code of Hammurabi, etched into a stone stele so that they would endure for millennia. These laws, once set in stone, could not be easily erased; they were meant to hold the people accountable for their actions. But the ability to preserve information in this way was limited to the powerful—the rulers and priests who controlled the means of record-keeping. In our modern age, however, the ability to store data has become so cheap and ubiquitous that it has fundamentally altered the balance of power. As Hypponen notes, we now live in a world where anything we say or do online can be preserved indefinitely, often without our awareness.

Consider the tale of Socrates, the philosopher who lived in Athens over two millennia ago. He famously questioned everything, challenging the status quo and inviting others to engage in deep dialogue. In his time, the spoken word was still sacred and fleeting—once a conversation ended, it was gone, leaving only the reflections of those who participated. However, today, a similar debate or discussion would be captured in written form, or even in digital archives, accessible at any time in the future. Socrates’ radical views might have been preserved and used against him, potentially altering the course of his life. The cost of storing and recording ideas has changed the way we communicate, and as Hypponen suggests, it forces us to alter our behavior because we know that anything we say can be used against us—not just in the present, but in the future as well.

In the Middle Ages, the idea of the public record was further expanded with the advent of printing presses. The printing press, a revolutionary invention by Johannes Gutenberg, democratized knowledge and allowed ideas to spread across the world. But even this powerful tool had its limitations—books, pamphlets, and scrolls could be destroyed or hidden away. Now, with the advent of the internet and the cloud, everything is stored indefinitely, and the act of erasure is nearly impossible. In many ways, the digital age has given us unprecedented access to knowledge, but it has also trapped us in an eternal digital record of our lives. Every post, every message, every action we take online is captured and stored for posterity, a permanent record that may come back to haunt us in ways we cannot yet imagine.

Consider the story of Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who revealed the extent of the U.S. government’s surveillance programs. Snowden’s actions, which were driven by his belief in the right to privacy, led to a global debate about the dangers of storing too much information. While his revelations brought important issues to light, it also raised questions about the permanence of our digital footprints. In a world where data is stored forever, even well-intentioned actions can lead to consequences that ripple across time. Snowden’s own life became a reflection of the dangers of living in a world where privacy is no longer protected and where every action—no matter how small—may be stored for future use.

The lesson embedded in Hypponen’s words is not just about the technological consequences of storing data, but about the human consequences of living in a world where nothing is ever truly private. Behavior is shaped by the knowledge that every action can be recorded, analyzed, and used in the future. This constant surveillance changes the way we interact with one another, forcing us to become more cautious, more guarded, and less authentic. In the ancient world, people lived their lives with an awareness that their actions were witnessed by the gods or the community, and they adapted accordingly. In the digital age, we must now ask: how does this constant surveillance change the nature of freedom?

In practical terms, we must embrace awareness in our digital lives. While the convenience of technology and the ability to store vast amounts of information brings undeniable benefits, we must also understand the trade-offs that come with it. We must take control of the data we share, be mindful of the information we make accessible, and recognize that we live in a world where our actions are forever recorded. Like the ancients, who understood the power of wisdom and the dangers of unchecked power, we must balance the benefits of technological progress with the preservation of privacy and freedom. The lesson is clear: we must use technology to empower us, but we must never forget the importance of protecting the fundamental rights that define our humanity.

Let us not be blinded by the power of the digital world, but use its tools with wisdom and caution. As Hypponen suggests, the future is already being shaped by the choices we make today in our online interactions. Let us choose wisely, aware of the implications our digital footprints may have for ourselves and for generations to come. Privacy, like wisdom, is something worth protecting, even in an age where everything seems so easily accessible. In this, we find the true path forward—not in rejecting technology, but in using it responsibly and with an understanding of its deep impact on our lives.