I try to make my relatives understand that this is something important, to put forward rational arguments, but they refuse me, saying that it would only complicate their lives, so it’s useless. I’m seen as the paranoid of the gang. So how would you convince your friends?
Show them the issues, such as Snowden revelations and the applications for it and how it can be used against them
I think this is the crux of it. “How it will be used against them” people find that hard to imagine, and so do I.
What are we afraid of?
People think “targets ads are harmless i don’t care” and they’re right. But i think there are much more frightening dangers out there, that would make people act if they only knew about them.
I think you are actually on to something here. If the “much more frightening dangers” could be articulated and some examples could be added it will make for a very persuasive argument indeed. The “I don’t mind targeted ads” is the most common push back along with people not getting how their metadata being collected could be used to scam them and the fact that no one likes to think they will be gullible enough to become victim of a scam.
I wouldn’t go for illegal things people can do with my data (like scams) because criminals may use illegals ways to get my data as well. We should care more about the legal ways of acquiring data and using it against our interests.
It could still help limit people’s use of sites or sharing too much data. Just think of the “security question” often they ask you. For example Name of your first pet? Don’t have that information on social media.
Another angle is your contacts. Maybe you are clever enough to not be influenced by targeted ads but is everyone in your contact list? Many apps upload that data and obviously Facebook is using it in (arguably) good ways: “Do you know Emma?” (She just uploaded her contact list and you were on there)