Privacy Lost: How Technology Is Endangering Your Privacy [Hardcover]

David H. Holtzman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0787985112 | ISBN-13: 978-0787985110 | Edition: 1

While other books in the field focus on specific aspects of privacy or how to avoid invasions, David H. Holtzman--a master technologist, internet pioneer, security analyst, and former military codebreaker--presents a comprehensive insider's expos? of the world of invasive technology, who's using it, and how our privacy is at risk. Holtzman starts out by categorizing privacy violations into "The 7 Sins Against Privacy" and then goes on to explain in compelling and easy to understand language exactly how privacy is being eroded in every aspect of our lives.


Holtzman vividly reveals actual invasions and the dangers associated with the loss of privacy, and he takes a realistic look at the trade offs between privacy and such vital issues as security, rights, and economic development.

Praise for Privacy Lost

"Whether we know it or not, we have all become citizens of the Digital Age. As such we need to take responsibility for our conduct, our safety, and our privacy. David Holtzman is deeply knowledgeable about the industry and passionate about the issues. Regardless of your political views, you will come away from this book better equipped to meet the challenges before us all."
--Geoffrey A. Moore, author, Dealing with Darwin: How Great Companies Innovate at Every Phase of Their Evolution

"Holtzman has drafted a blueprint all citizens of this great land ought to read if they desire to understand what privacy truly means, why it is important to both their everyday life as well as to their understanding of what it really means to be free, and what they can do to salvage what little privacy is left them. Privacy Lost needs to be readily available on the desks of all concerned citizens--heavily dog-eared and underlined."
--Bob Barr, practicing attorney and former Member of theUnited States House of Representatives

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A former security analyst, military code breaker, and Internet pioneer, Holtzman brings considerable experience and perspective to this examination of how technology threatens individual privacy. Aimed at readers worried about snooping by entities ranging from the government to marketers, Holtzman plainly outlines what he calls the "seven sins against privacy" under which most violations can be categorized. He details the trails we all leave behind us that are increasingly finding their way into commercial and government databases. The book is divided into five sections: damage resulting from the loss of privacy, a historical overview, the legal basis of privacy, the mechanics behind snooping, and how to protect privacy. Holtzman includes samples of stories from newspapers and magazines of privacy violations, as well as an overview of the gadgets that trace our every movement, from cell phones to global positioning systems, police surveillance cameras, and chips that can be hidden in books and clothing. Advocating for a balance between security and privacy, Holtzman warns that "data never disappears." Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

The Patriot Act, government eavesdropping, the distribution of our most personal information—recent security breaches and marketing?related invasions have affected the privacy of millions of Americans. So who has access to this information about us and what exactly are they doing with it? This question touches almost every aspect of our lives—from control over our finances and identities to the (assumed) basic right to keep our thoughts, actions, medical histories, whereabouts, and other personal information to ourselves.

We can not afford to ignore this issue. This book will help us all understand what is at risk in the Digital Age, who the perpetrators are, what we can do about it, and how and why, to some extent, our privacy is already lost.

"As society struggles to understand how technology is impacting privacy, David Holtzman's ideas and vision continue to be central to the discussion. This book helps us understand what's at stake."
—Andreas S. Weigend, former chief scientist, Amazon.com, and principal, Weigend Associates

"At a time when the Berlin Wall and Communism stood strong against the world and the Soviet Union tried to outpace the United States in an unprecedented arms race, a small group of select professionals performed the analysis required to combat the latest weapons technology and helped to bring an end to that cold war. I am proud to tell you that Dave Holtzman was a key member of that unique group who could never be openly recognized for what they did or how they did it."
—Mark E. Clesh, National Security Agency, Defsmac Intel Director

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787985112
• ISBN-13: 978-0787985110
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #921,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Getting a Cursory Overview of Privacy Issues, January 11, 2007

By 

Christopher Byrne "The Business Controls Caddy" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Privacy Lost: How Technology Is Endangering Your Privacy (Hardcover)

When it comes to books and hype, there is not often a distinction when it comes to marketing. At least this is the case with Privacy Lost: How Technology is Endangering Your Privacy by David H. Holtzman (2006, 352 pages, Josey-Bass, ISBN 0787985112). The cover touts "A technologist, Former Security Analyst, and Military Codebreaker Tells You What You Need To Know About Your Privacy", and the forward is written by US Senator Evan Bayh.

All of this glitz does not cover the fact that the book does not break any new ground in privacy literature, and that the author does not necessarily break any new ground in the existing literature on privacy issues. However, the book does address one thing not covered with the focus of other books: protection of your on-line and real life personal brand.
Take by itself, readers will find the book enlightening if they have not read anything else on the topic. Holtzman begins by covering what he considers to be the seven sins against privacy (which is perhaps the strongest part of the book), and discussions of the collateral damage to society. He then covers why he feels technology is key to our loss of privacy. He endeavors to cover the context of our view of privacy and privacy law, but falls short in this area, He also goes on to discuss the existing and growing threats to our privacy. He talks about the invasion of our privacy by marketers (again, nothing new here). The book wraps up by talking about ways to fight back. One particular approach that I personally like is to be the curmudgeon, or fighting to not give up information when requested. Sure they may already have it, but at least one can sleep at night thinking they are fighting back.

As a whole, the book takes too superficial a look at the issues, without doing into adequate background and depth. This is where the book gets swallowed up in its own hype cycle and falls short of other privacy titles. There is no doubt that the author has background and experience. It just does not translate effectively in this book. It is also ironic that he was once the chief technology officer for Network Solutions, which makes customers pay extra to protect their private information.

Who Should Read This Book?

If someone has only a cursory interest on the topic, this book will be adequate. However, a book that is a much better read and covers the background, growth and tensions in privacy would be better served to read The Digital Person: Technology And Privacy In The Information Age by Daniel Solove.

The Scorecard

Par on an average Par 4 playing downwind.

5.0 out of 5 stars Reading this book in public places is hilarious., February 2, 2007

By 

Techno Wonk "T.W." (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Privacy Lost: How Technology Is Endangering Your Privacy (Hardcover)

What David H. Holtzman has set out to accomplish in this book is not to give the most complex picture of the privacy debate, and it's clearly not a bound and published research paper directed at experts in the topic. Rather this is a book directed at readers who might go about their lives as usual, but may be a bit bothered by all the data they are asked to give out on themselves every day. Holtzman explains where that concern comes from, why you are justified in your concern, and finally suggests tactics to cope with our swiftly changing world.

Holtzman's interest in pseudonymity, and the distinction between it and anonymity is a recurring theme throughout the book, and clearly a cultural and social issue which is swimming just under the public consciousness.

It is a quick read and the clarity with which Holtzman breaks down the issue is one of the books strongest points. As the other reviewers have suggested, the 'Seven Sins Against Privacy' section alone will provide a reader with a plethora of material for spooky, entertaining, and intriguing small talk.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An approachable approach to a complicated topic..., January 25, 2007

By 

Mount Pleasant Denizen (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Privacy Lost: How Technology Is Endangering Your Privacy (Hardcover)

David Holtzman's book is just what the public needs...in very clear kitchen english he conveys some very important information about your (i.e. MY) privacy and the internet. I found the book approachable and fun to read...it sparked my imagination far more than some other books on similar topics. Buy this and then do not let in languish beside your chair; read it. And think about what you learn. The book is worth purchasing just for the "Seven Deadly Sins Against Privacy" if nothing else. What a great TV documentary you could make using this book as a guide. If you need more than this book then you need to hire an expert and dish out some big money.