Data curmudgeons feel like that about their personal information flowing into the "Bytegeist" of the burgeoning Internet. There are five strategies that people seem to employ to tackle the personal data privacy problem. In addition to the Curmudgeon, there is the Ignorer, the Avoider, the Deceiver and the Aggressor.. . .

Data curmudgeons feel like that about their personal information flowing into the "Bytegeist" of the burgeoning Internet. There are five strategies that people seem to employ to tackle the personal data privacy problem. In addition to the Curmudgeon, there is the Ignorer, the Avoider, the Deceiver and the Aggressor. Ignorers think that there is no problem; Avoiders go out of their way to not be in a situation where they have to give information; Deceivers deliberately give false information whenever possible; and Aggressors get indignant and talk about lawsuits or write nasty letters. Most people seem to respond as a combination of all of the above, depending on their mood and the circumstances.

Curmudgeons are principled--although it's easier for them to lie, they won't. They could avoid activities that they know might be a hassle, but they don't. Their personalities are wired in such a way that although they're obsessive about protecting their own information, they don't feel any need to organize other people.

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