Only people can alter behavior based on being known. [definitional]
This is the inner life of the individual with whom we interact. He may, intentionally either reveal the truth about himself to us, or deceive us by lie and concealment. No other object of knowledge can reveal or hide itself in the same way, because no other object modifies its behavior in view of the fact that it is recognized.
Georg Simmel, The Sociology of Georg Simm…, loc. 7588