Edward Snowden: There is no Online Privacy in this Technological Era

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The issue on privacy is extremely controversial in today’s world. As the United States’ use of the internet, a global web of interconnected computer networks, expands, so does its problem with privacy invasion. With the U.S. pushing for new laws governing internet use, citizens are finding their privacy being pulled right from underneath them. Web users are buying and selling personal information online as well as hacking users for more information. One may argue that there is no such thing as privacy on the internet, but privacy is a right among Americans, and should be treated as such. The National Security Agency is a government run service. It is responsible for the international surveillance, deciphering, collection, analysis, and translation of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. This agency has recently had their whistle blown by Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee. Snowden released files on operations such as PRISM, a program that gives access to servers frequented by many Americans. This encroachment shocked the nation. PRISM provides admittance to the servers of websites such as Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Skype, Yahoo, Apple, and other companies. Private messages sent between users are made readily available. Computer histories and cookies are also recorded. An article published by International Business Times, spoke about cookies and the NSA's use of them. Cookies collect data, and can identify a person’s unique browser (Snowden Leaks). With this information, the NSA can hack computers using special software. “The first ruling against the NSA's surveillance program was handed down in December by Judge Richard Leon of Federal District Court for the District of Columb... ... middle of paper ... ...he ever expanding internet is safe or private. However, there are ways for one to protect themselves, and create a blanket of privacy while using the internet in this new technological era. Works Cited Angwin, Julia. “Privacy Tools: Opting Out from Data Brokers.” Propublica. 30 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. Erickson, Jo. "Hacker Statistics for 2013: Daily Hacking Occurrences with Major Infrastructures Vulnerable." YourSEOToday. YourSEOToday, 8 Nov. 2013. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. International Business, Times. "Snowden Leaks: NSA Storing Internet Cookies, Location Data for Spying." International Business Times 16 Feb. 2014: Regional Business News. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. Rowen, Beth. "The NSA, Edward Snowden, and Surveillance." Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. "Ten Scariest Hacking Statistics." Stop the Hacker. Stop the Hacker, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

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