Why should we take data privacy seriously?

You may have heard that Bellingcat online investigator figured out that the Flight PS752 was shot down by an Iranian missile. But you might not know that the investigation was done entirely using online OPEN SOURCE information based on the GEOlocation of a mobile video. Think about it. A simple video (and its location) posted online helped to identify the reasons behind such atrocity. A fluke? Not at all. Bellingcat also identified the Russian assassin in a Berlin murders case by matching biometric information, or that Italy sold armoured vehicles to Russia supplied to the Syrian militia. Many more examples demonstrate how data that ANYONE with the right skills found freely online can be used to identify things, locations and real people. In the case of Bellingcats work thats a good thing. However, there are plenty of people out there with the same skills who have less well meaning intentions. Thats why it is important to take data privacy seriously.