The question comes in light of the recent young republicans leaks. Firstly, I’m not a republican and I think the shit they were saying was out of line, regardless of context. That said, the situation, among countless other times similar things have happened made me think. Is it reasonable to hold individuals accountable for statements made that they thought were in private. I think the public figure aspect is obviously the main catch here. In instances where the individual is a public figure, they kind of made their bed in my opinion. That said though, the more normal and sensational these events become the more realistic it is to widen in scope. Would it be reasonable for a future employer or date to pull up your group chats/private messages/anonymous posts?
People should have privacy but people should also not act a way in private that would completely shame them. I mean yeah if you had a list of my porn viewing it would be pretty embarrasing but if everyones was out I bet mine would look tame or at least typical for a straight male. Outside of porn I can’t think of anything I have wrote that is indefensible but all the same a government like we currently have would target me as a lefty/commie/whateverotherbs stuff if they had access to it when I like apply to usajobs.gov thing. Im likely giving it away with my response to the constitution and presidential decree questions (are people aware of the bs questions on there now?)