Privacy is now a trending issue that is directly tied to our communication technology resources. Nowadays such thing as privacy does not exist. And this is mainly because the most popular social media services, web search engines, cellphones, and computers overall are constantly being monitored by the U.S. Government. Such actions In my opinion are not always so inconvenient, only in such matters of security of course.
Ever since 2013 when Edward Snowden former NSA Employee revealed how “personal” information is constantly monitored by the National Security Agency there is no doubt people would start to speak up about the issue. This government agency is literally spying on the people living in this country and no doubt even people in other countries. I do believe that privacy is a right we should all have, but at what cost? The NSA states that tracking and monitoring data is lawful, and that they do not collect everyone’s data but some of it comes “incidentally" or not on purpose but because there’s bulk of information being collected it just so happens to end up in their hands.
Is this immoral? maybe. Is this necessary? maybe. Who knows what would be different if the NSA would not do this sort of practice. Perhaps everything would be the same. But perhaps there has been a variety of events that have been prevented from this controversial privacy violating practice.
Is this immoral? maybe. Is this necessary? maybe. Who knows what would be different if the NSA would not do this sort of practice. Perhaps everything would be the same. But perhaps there has been a variety of events that have been prevented from this controversial privacy violating practice.
I agree with your position. I think it’s important not to judge the situation so quickly. While it may be uncomfortable to think about, maintaining national security is not always so black and white; there is a lot of gray area. If the NSA is gathering information from my texts and emails, I am not too concerned. One, because I have nothing to hide in the first place, and two because like you said, if they prevent terrible situations or at least monitor suspicious activity, then I’m not too upset about it.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I find interesting about this issue is how people think that it is something new. Spies have existed since the first civilization started on Earth, and they are never going to go away. I am not saying we should accept being spied on (especially from private parties!) but I am saying that if our national intelligence agencies is using information to keep me safe, then I’m at least glad they’re using it to protect us.
Of course we can’t assume they are using it for something good. There is definitely a possibility that they are breaking laws, and our privacy is being violated. But, one thing we also need to consider is, they are getting this information from technology. And even if our texts and tweets are technically private, we are still sending them to a satellite somewhere. We need to accept the fact that anything we put on technology of any kind can be found. That’s why we don’t go around emailing our Social Security Number!
While technology has provided new ways for our information and conversations to be monitored, it’s important to remember that in order to protect our nation, our intelligence agencies may need to use some morally ambiguous tactics. And, if you don’t want anyone to steal your information, don’t put it on the Internet.
A U.S. citizen’s privacy is among many controversial issues to deal with while living in America. Is our government really taking and listening to our information and would it be better if they didn’t? I agree with this post and am baffled about Edward Snowden’s reveal. I’m not a criminal nor have a record but I, personally, like my privacy. There needs to be boundaries with this, the NSA should not have this much access to our lives. Yes I know this is for our nation’s protection but what if that personal information gets into the wrong hands?
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