USA Patriot Act

1223 Words3 Pages

Technology has affected the field of justice studies in many ways. After the events of September 11th 2001, technology has had an even greater impact on the field of justice studies. Rapidly advancing technology has made surveillance cheaper and easier to conceal. Tools such as wiretapping, surveillance for e-mails, and other forms of surveillance tools that were before a violation of peoples' right to privacy, are now allowed to be used without probable cause. These tools now allow the FBI to find terrorists before they commit their act of violence. These surveillance tools that are now allowed to be used by the FBI were passed under the USA Patriot Act. Given that the USA Patriot Act now allows the FBI to look through what many people may consider private, many questions may arise. For instance, what does the FBI have rights to monitor? Who does it affect? What are the ethical concerns? And why is this favorable for the United States? First, many people may be concerned with what the FBI has rights to monitor. The FBI has rights to monitor many things that may surprise many people. On October 26, 2001, President Bush signed the USA Patriot Act (USAPA) into law. The USA Patriot Act allows the FBI to monitor e-mail, medical records, and library accounts. The FBI may now access what may be to most people, personal information. They can legally wiretap phones, break into homes and offices, and access financial records without probable cause. This allows them to waste no time in finding terrorists. There is no doubt that this Act creates strict laws for foreigners. According to Stefanie Olsen, a staff writer for CNET, during President Bush's speech on the USA Patriot Act to the nation's mayors on how the law woul... ... middle of paper ... ...ated with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to round up thousands of aliens suspected of terrorism..." Whether for better or for worse, the USA Patriot Act may affect everyone's lives. Over the years, technology has had a great impact on the world. However, while people now use this technology such as the Internet, they may be being watched over. Technology has definitely had a great impact on the justice studies field. It now allows government officials to use these tools to watch over the American people, and while doing so, they also protect us. It allows the government officials to do their job at serving and keeping the American people safe. When people start to think of how the USA Patriot Act violates their right to privacy, they should stop to think how this Act is keeping them safe.

Open Document