In an era where data is the new oil, understanding the intricacies of privacy and the power of information has never been more crucial. This curated list of documentaries delves into the shadowy corners of data collection, surveillance, and privacy breaches, offering a fascinating insight into how our digital footprints are tracked, analyzed, and sometimes exploited. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a privacy advocate, or simply curious about the digital world, these films will enlighten and perhaps even alarm you about the state of our personal data.
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks (2013)
Description: This documentary examines WikiLeaks, its founder Julian Assange, and the impact of leaking classified information on privacy, government transparency, and data security.
Fact: The film was directed by Alex Gibney, who has made several documentaries on controversial subjects.
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Terms and Conditions May Apply (2013)
Description: This documentary investigates how companies track and use our personal information, often hidden in the fine print of terms and conditions we rarely read. It's an eye-opener on how little control we have over our data.
Fact: The film includes interviews with notable figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Julian Assange.
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The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
Description: Focuses on the life and tragic death of Aaron Swartz, a programming prodigy and activist who fought for open access to information, highlighting issues of data freedom and privacy.
Fact: Aaron Swartz co-authored the RSS
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Citizenfour (2014)
Description: A gripping look at Edward Snowden's revelations about the NSA's surveillance programs. It provides an insider's view of the whistleblower's life and the implications of mass surveillance on privacy.
Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
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Risk (2016)
Description: Laura Poitras's documentary about Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, providing an intimate look at the complexities of privacy, security, and the ethics of information disclosure.
Fact: The film was initially released in 2016 but was later re-edited and re-released in
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The Creepy Line (2018)
Description: Investigates the influence of Google and Facebook on society, questioning their control over information and the ethical boundaries they cross in the name of data collection.
Fact: The title refers to a quote by Google's former CEO, Eric Schmidt, about the line between what's acceptable and what's creepy in data collection.
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The Social Dilemma (2020)
Description: This documentary features former tech insiders discussing how social media platforms manipulate user behavior for profit, highlighting the impact on privacy and mental health.
Fact: It was one of the most-watched documentaries on Netflix in
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Deep Web (2015)
Description: Explores the hidden part of the internet known as the 'deep web', focusing on the Silk Road marketplace and the arrest of its founder, Ross Ulbricht, raising questions about privacy, freedom, and the dark side of the internet.
Fact: The film features interviews with Ulbricht's mother, who discusses her son's case.
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Nothing to Hide (2017)
Description: A French documentary that challenges the notion of "I have nothing to hide" by exploring the implications of mass surveillance and the erosion of privacy in the digital age.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life experiment where participants agreed to have their data monitored for a week.
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The Great Hack (2019)
Description: This film explores the Cambridge Analytica scandal, revealing how personal data was harvested from millions of Facebook profiles to influence elections worldwide. It's a must-watch for understanding the manipulation of voter behavior through data.
Fact: The documentary was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
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