About
It has always bothered me that privacy has no unified symbol. Every community has their own take on how privacy should be visualized. I want to unify the privacy community across the internet. It is my belief that, with a universal symbol for privacy, we will grow stronger. We will have a symbol to represent us. We will have a flag to fly.
Icon
The icon is a clipart created by librarian Gordon Dylan Johnson which can be found here. The size of the icon is large enough to still fit if the flag is cropped to a square/circular aspect ratio.
Dimensions
The size of the flag is 140 by 90 centimeters. These dimensions are chosen because of the dimensions of a Tor Browser window (1400x900 pixels).
Colors
The color blue (Azure) was chosen because it symbolizes security, stability, and reliability. The exact shade of blue used is the same azure color used by the flag of Europe, because of GDPR.
Design
This flag follows the "Principals of design" for vexillography.
Use it!
Use this flag for group chats, communities, profiles, stickers, patches, articles, wallpapers, real flags, anything you want to! Spread it around so it becomes a global icon for privacy. Even put it on the Wikipedia page for privacy if you can!
I loved the idea, but I object to the symbology.
First off, we're against being seen. Why would we want a big creepy eye as the definition of success? Did Pirate flags show shackles and gallows? Of course not.
What are common pictograms associated with privacy? Shields. Locks. Locks on shields. Privacy is about defense and control.
Second, the blue gives me BSOD vibes. I get the EU reference, but black is super obvious here. Black it out. Redacted. Blind. All right there.
My suggestions? A shield or lock with dove at its center. Because the mass surveillance state is one of fear, not freedom or peace. Black field with blue and white stripes, white representing freedom, blue as you have it, and I guess giving a nod to Estonia's leadership in EU tech. Not that we need to rep Estonia, but I also liked their Eurovision entry this year.
You know what this flag needs?
Espresso MacchiatoI was going to bet anything I was going to click and it would say "More cowbell!"
Pleasantly surprised, thank you.