The topic of internet privacy has been a growing concern in the digital age, touching on issues related to surveillance, data mining, and the ethical boundaries of online behavior. Cinema has not shied away from exploring these themes, often presenting thought-provoking narratives that question the integrity and safety of our digital identities. Films about internet privacy delve into the complexities of living in a world where every click, search, and online interaction can be monitored, exposing the vulnerabilities and potential consequences of our increasingly connected lives. Here are some films that capture the essence of this modern-day dilemma:
“The Social Dilemma”, 2020
Director: Jeff Orlowski-Yang
This documentary-drama hybrid delves into the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations. It explores the manipulative mechanisms behind social media platforms and their implications for user privacy and democracy.
Starring: Tristan Harris, Jeff Seibert, Bailey Richardson, Joe Toscano, Sandy Parakilas, Guillaume Chaslot, Lynn Fox, Aza Raskin, Alex Roetter, Tim Kendall;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: documentary, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Social Dilemma” on the website imdb.com
“Citizenfour”, 2014
Director: Laura Poitras
A real-time documentary that follows Edward Snowden and the release of the classified NSA documents. Filmed and directed by Laura Poitras, it’s a gripping narrative that dives deep into the issues of surveillance, government overreach, and the fight to protect internet privacy.
Starring: Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, William Binney, Jacob Appelbaum, Ewen MacAskill, M. Margaret McKeown, Kevin Bankston, Harry Pregerson, H. Thomas Byron, Michael Daly Hawkins;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: documentary, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Citizenfour” on the website imdb.com
“Snowden”, 2016
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, this biographical thriller portrays the life of Edward Snowden, from his time as an NSA contractor to becoming a whistleblower on U.S. government surveillance practices. It highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by Snowden as he exposes the extent of internet espionage carried out on citizens.
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Scott Eastwood, Rhys Ifans, Nicolas Cage, Timothy Olyphant, Jaymes Butler;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“The Great Hack”, 2019
Director: Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaim
This documentary focuses on the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal, examining how personal data is commodified and used to influence electoral processes. Through the perspectives of various stakeholders, it reveals the dark side of social media platforms and the breaches of privacy inherent to their business models.
Starring: Brittany Kaiser, David Carroll, Paul-Olivier Dehaye, Ravi Naik, Julian Wheatland, Carole Cadwalladr, Paul Hilder, Christopher Wylie, Emma Graham-Harrison, Gill Phillips;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: documentary, biography, history;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Great Hack” on the website imdb.com
“Terms and Conditions May Apply”, 2013
Director: Cullen Hoback
A critical look at the dense world of online service agreements and the privacy concerns embedded within. The film highlights how corporations use terms of service and data collection practices to monitor and manipulate user information, often without explicit consent.
Starring: Cullen Hoback, Brian Lawler, John Palfrey, Harvey Anderson, Zeynep Tüfekçi, Eric Schmidt, Siva Vaidhyanathan, Debra Aho Williamson, Danah Boyd, Moby;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 79 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Terms and Conditions May Apply” on the website imdb.com
“Deep Web”, 2015
Director: Alex Winter
Directed by Alex Winter, this documentary explores the part of the internet hidden from the conventional search engines, known as the dark web. It includes the case of Ross Ulbricht and the Silk Road, emphasizing the debates over internet freedom, privacy, and state surveillance.
Starring: Ross Ulbricht, James Chaparro, Nicolas Christin, Cindy Cohn, Joshua L. Dratel, Neill Franklin, Andy Greenberg, Christopher Ingraham, Runa Sandvik, Alden Schiller;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Deep Web” on the website imdb.com
These films, through a variety of narrative and documentary approaches, highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain privacy and autonomy in the digital age and serve as a catalyst for discourse on the future of internet freedom and security.
In the digital age where our lives are intertwined with the virtual sphere, films about internet privacy serve as crucial narratives that awaken our consciousness to the often invisible threats lurking within our interconnected world. They not only entertain but enlighten, pushing the boundaries of our understanding about personal privacy, data surveillance, and the ethical dilemmas faced in the information era. Through gripping narratives, haunting realizations, and speculative futures, these films compel us to reassess our relationship with technology, urging a reevaluation of the values we hold dear in the preservation of our digital selves. As we navigate through the complexities of the online world, the insights gleaned from these cinematic journeys become indispensable, fostering a more informed and vigilant stance towards the protection of internet privacy.
