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Why you freak me out when you flash that smartphone

Imagine my horror when I received a WhatsApp video clip of my entire stretch of indiscretion.

A few weeks ago, I was party to a "candid moment" kind of a scenario; you know, the sort where I was full on, hair down. I was laughing too loudly, chomping on food in an unseemly manner, talking with my mouth full of cake etc. Imagine my horror when I received a WhatsApp video clip of my entire stretch of indiscretion. While I had been merrily throwing caution to the winds, someone had been recording me. This video is probably tucked away somewhere in (the) Cloud(s), so even if I furiously delete the offending chapter in my WhatsApp gallery, the proof promises to be permanent.
Earlier, I used to get exasperated with (paranoid) friends who'd start screaming at me the moment I'd pick up my phone because they'd assume I'm taking their pictures in unflattering poses (I was not! I was only checking work mails). But, increasingly, I find myself being part of a growing tribe of folks who are paranoid about being "put [perforce] on record". I have no idea whether or not the person in front of me who, on the face of it, is checking his/her smartphone, is actually doing a voice or video recording. I don't have a problem being watched - what are CCTV cameras for? - but I do have a problem having personal (or even impersonal) moments being captured for virtual posterity, without my knowledge or permission; every time a smartphone is whipped out in my presence, I tend to get defensive. I fear I've become a hypochondriac.
It gets worse. Whenever I am having a "confidential" chat with a pal on WhatsApp or BBM, there will invariably come a point when we decide to "call" and exchange notes. Because it's a bit "non-circumspect" to have sensitive conversations typed out (there is something long-lasting about words etched in typography). Now, I hear even calls are no longer private: there's an app that enables recording of phone conversations. If I download this app on my phone, I can record everything the person on the other side is saying. There's an obvious upside to it: if I'm conducting a phone interview, this app will work wonders (I don't need to be frantically scribbling down notes since I can later transcribe the interview); ditto if, say, I want to "hold on" to a "precious" conversation I'm having with the love of my life.
The upside, however, pales in comparison to the downside: the fact how it's now so easy for any of us to record whatever is being said (in confidence many times) and play it around for anyone who's a keen listener.
So, in addition to viewing everyone with suspicion when I'm at a public place and half-expecting them to be taking my videos/photos, I also need to watch what I'm saying on the phone. Life is not much fun any more. The spontaneity - the same spontaneity that flows out so effortlessly when one's taking a selfie, for instance - is getting cramped by the day, because there are those who cannot mind their own business. or, worse, have an agenda.
I have been watching a TV series called Revenge lately, and every revenge-laden move (one every minute) is tied in with tech intrusions. Either it's a revenge-seeker recording clips (video and/or voice) of his/her victim's most vulnerable/demonic moments (which are then used - with glee if I may add - to blackmail/humiliate) and emailing them to concerned parties; or it's one of the same lot of revenge-seekers (there appear to be quite a few) using sophisticated gadgetry to hack into confounding gadgetry in order to get hold of more incriminating clips.
Revenge is rumoured to be based on The Count of Monte Cristo. In the latter, Edmond Dantès, chief revenge-seeker, had to be the master at the Battle of Wits in order to wreak vengeance. The modern-day prototypes only need a wifi-enabled smartphone. With a good camera and voice-recorder.
sushmita@khaleejtimes.com