I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Lack of Privacy for the American Public

865 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: electronic surveillance and privacy

Privacy is of the things that you miss only when it is gone. The increasing importance of the Internet on our daily lives has caused the line between what is private and public to blur. Recently the NSA surveillance of domestic and foreign individuals has raised many questions regarding privacy and straying government agencies. I for one do not want my private life in the hands of any government agency, regardless of how benevolent their intentions may seem. Therefore, it is natural that I would want to know more about an issue that plays such a crucial rule in my daily life. Additionally, the question of whether we should allow government agencies to have this much power concerns me. Furthermore, the NSA’s programs and capabilities fascinate me, the computing power and advanced data retrieval methods that are required is complex and enormous. My interest in computer science, concern for privacy, and questioning of government intentions are the reasons why I want to spend a whole semester researching this topic.
It is hard to get away from the scandal caused by Edward Snowden since it is plastered through out the news. I have read numerous articles regarding the issue already but most articles are always vague in regards to what the NSA is actually doing. For example, one informative article describes one of the methods that thee NSA uses to gather large amounts of data is to put in their own I servers into large centers of Internet traffic. At these locations the NSA will split the wire and attach a device so that any information that is traveling through the wire is replicated and then stored on their server for further analysis and recovery. In addition I have an adequate amount of knowledge regarding computer security because...

... middle of paper ...

...keep that in mind as to not bore anyone and bring new insight into the argument and not regurgitate what the media is saying. As I research more into my topic will be able to find better arguments and add ethos to the mix to persuade my audience.
Learning about the NSA and its programs will be a very interesting endeavor because it is something I find very interesting. The NSA’s programs are still a bit of an enigma but I hope to resolve this for my audience and myself. I will have to read the files leaked by Snowden in detail and draw my own conclusions, as apposed to using the medias view. Additionally, Questions regarding the reach, effectiveness and legality of the NSA programs will have to be answered. Once I gather sufficient information I will be capable of having a cohesive argument but until then, the best place to start will be the NSA leaked files.

Show More
Related

  • National Security Agency's Prism Program

    2540 Words  | 6 Pages

    In the past few years the National Security Agency has been all over the news, and not in a good way. Former contractor of the National Security Edward Snowden leaked classified documents to several media outlets on such a scale the world took notice. The day the world learned about the Prism program among others was June, 5, 2013 when Ed Snowden gave the specifics of the programs to The Guardian, and the Washington Post. Ed Snowden turned those secrets over as a member of the NSA but fled the country before the leaks so he would not be imprisoned by the authorities. Immediately after the leaks Ed Snowden became infamous with around the clock watch as to what country would grant his asylum, he currently resides in a Moscow airport pending appeal (Staff, 2013). He claimed he “did not want to live in a society like this” that’s why he decided to turn over states secret for all the world to see (Staff, 2013). Now that you know the man behind the leaks it is time that you find out about the program, and the reach and impact it really had.

    Read More

  • Oversight of MK-ULTRA and PRISM

    2815 Words  | 6 Pages

    As technology continues to advance at lightning speed, the world as we used to know it is beginning to disappear. Publically available data has replaced much of the espionage tactics that the CIA depended on after WWII and into the Cold War. Information that used to take years to obtain through covert missions is now readily available on social media, commercial databases, or through Signals intelligence (SIGINT). As the world becomes more technologically advanced and intelligence sources display new opportunities, the Intelligence Community (IC) has been there to exploit the data to gain the upper hand on the enemy, and support decision makers. Advancements in technology have made the IC what it is today, however, the path of learning the correct methods of exploitation is littered with abuses. In the 1950’s and 60’s, the CIA’s newest technology was a proposed mind control drug, and project MK-ULTRA was born. The Central intelligence Agency (CIA) performed rogue tests on an unknowing public without their knowledge and severely tainted the image of the agency. In 2013, the public found out about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Top Secret PRISM program that obtained the phone and internet records of the public without their consent. These two programs were separated by decades, yet the similarities are undeniable. Both MK-ULTRA and PRISM resulted in intelligence oversight reforms aimed at managing these types of operations before they occur. While the government does not always have the ability to foresee how advancements in technology will affect the public, intelligence oversight mechanisms over the past 20 years provide the necessary safeguards that are needed to protect each American’s privacy, provide for th...

    Read More

  • In Praise of Big Brother: Why We Should Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Government Surveillance

    1896 Words  | 4 Pages

    Taylor, James Stacey. "In Praise of Big Brother: Why We Should Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Government Surveillance." Public Affairs Quarterly July 2005: 227-246.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of The NSA

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    The NSA is a U.S. intelligence agency responsible for providing the government with information on inner and foreign affairs, particularly for the prevention of terrorism and crime. The NSA maintains several database networks in which they receive private information on American citizens. The agency has access to phone calls, emails, photos, recordings, and backgrounds of practically all people residing in the United States. Started in 1952 by President Harry Truman, the NSA is tasked with the global monitoring and surveillance of targeted individuals in American territory. As part of the growing practice of mass surveillance in the United States, the agency collects and stores all phone records of all American citizens. People argue that this collected information is very intrusive, and the NSA may find something personal that someone may not have wanted anyone to know. While this intrusion's main purpose is to avoid events of terrorism, recent information leaks by Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor, show that the agency may actually be infringing upon the rights of the American citizen. Whether people like it or not, it seems that the NSA will continue to spy on the people of the United States in an attempt to avert acts of terrorism. Although there are many pros and cons to this surveillance of American citizens, the agency is ultimately just doing its job to protect the lives of the people. Unless a person is actually planning on committing a major crime, there is no real reason for citizens to worry about the NSA and it's invasion of our privacy. The agency is not out to look for embarrassing information about its citizens, rather, only searches for and analyzes information which may lead to the identification of a targe...

    Read More

  • Backlash of the Leak of NSA Surveillance Programs

    2532 Words  | 6 Pages

    After the NSA and CIA leaks last year surfaced, many questions arose. Who is the man behind the leaks and what does his future hold with the United States government? What are the surveillance programs and their purpose? What are some of the ethical concerns? What are the pros and cons of secret surveillance programs? Does this violate our rights? Are these programs legal? How do these programs and the subsequent leaks affect foreign relations?

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of The NSA Controversial Issues Spark Debate

    1598 Words  | 4 Pages

    Recently in global news, the name Edward Snowden has became quite popular as he snatched millions of people’s attention along with breaking news headlines. Snowden released numerous documents via internet that were private to the NSA; these leaks revealed the dirty work the NSA and government have ...

    Read More

  • The NSA, Privacy and the War or Terrorism

    1550 Words  | 4 Pages

    Edward Snowden is America’s most recent controversial figure. People can’t decide if he is their hero or traitor. Nevertheless, his leaks on the U.S. government surveillance program, PRISM, demand an explanation. Many American citizens have been enraged by the thought of the government tracing their telecommunication systems. According to factbrowser.com 54% of internet users would rather have more online privacy, even at the risk of security (Facts Tagged with Privacy). They say it is an infringement on their privacy rights of the constitution. However, some of them don’t mind; they believe it will help thwart the acts of terrorists. Both sides make a good point, but the inevitable future is one where the government is adapting as technology is changing. In order for us to continue living in the new digital decade, we must accept the government’s ability to surveil us.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Domestic Surveillance

    747 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to John W. Whitehead, “The fact that the government can now, at any time, access entire phone conversations, e-mail exchanges, and other communications from months or years past should frighten every American.” (Whitehead). The NSA

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of The NSA

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    The National Security Agency (NSA) is considered to be one of the largest components so the U.S intelligence community stands. It is primarily responsible for gathering intelligence report from detailed communications with the active involvement of the various intelligence tools. It was established in 1952 from the code breaking effort adopted by the handful of military officers and civilians and by and by and by the agency grew in stature and marked its position to gain the role of signal intelligence which is also known as SIGNIT. All of this has resulted from the initiatives taken by the congress and actually it is the congress that helped in providing it the required framework required NSA to carry out its various activities and the enacted laws skilfully guides the limits of NSA. From the perspective of electronic surveillance of US persons and also they are supporting and taking due notice of the public pertaining to the issues at NSA and the related reforms that are directed to make NSA more and more equipped in meeting up with the quotidian technical as well as geopolitical challenges. At present, NSA is constantly coming across multitude of challenges and as well as seeing through a difficult operational environment that brings in certain limitations to its work areas like spending levels for intelligence reports into queries for the future prospects of NSA. The European Parliament has also came forward highlighting the interest of the public who allege that the US along with few other countries are constantly involved in systematic electronic eavesdropping so as to be able to launce the commercial interest of US operations in full effect. (Linda B. 1999)

    Read More

  • The Unacceptable Privacy Infrigment

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    When we mention the word ‘privacy’, we mean that there is something very personal about ourselves. Something that we think others are not supposed to know, or, we do not want them to. Nevertheless, why is it so? Why are people so reluctant to let others know about them entirely? This is because either they are afraid of people doing them harm or they are scared that people may treat them differently after their secrets are known. Without privacy, the democratic system that we know would not exist. Privacy is one of the fundamental values on which our country was established. Moreover, with the internet gaining such popularity, privacy has become a thing of the past. People have come to accept that strangers can view personal information about them on social networking sites such as Facebook, and companies and the government are constantly viewing a person’s activity online for a variety of reasons. From sending email, applying for a job, or even using the telephone, Americans right to privacy is in danger. Personal and professional information is being stored, link, transferred, shared, and even sold. Various websites, the government and its agencies, and hospitals are infringing our privacy without our permission or knowledge.

    Read More

  • NSA paper

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    It's the stuff that spy novels are made of and calls to mind popular authors such as Ian Flemming, John LeCarre’, and Tom Clancy. Recent news articles about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) electronic surveillance data-mining programs targeting US citizens are so far-fetched they read like good espionage thrillers. Unfortunately, these recent reports seem to be true based upon information from several whistleblowers including William Binney, Russell Tice and Edward Snowden. These brave individuals, who stepped forward risking their reputations, careers and personal safety, revealed that the NSA has engaged in wiretapping, monitoring, and recording phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media of US citizens. The United States government has been abridging citizens' rights to privacy and violating the fourth amendment of the constitution through these types of covert operations.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: The National Security Agency

    1527 Words  | 4 Pages

    The National Security Agency, known as the NSA, is a government organization that was founded in 1952. They started spying on US citizens after the September 11 attacks, under President Bush, to try to prevent more attacks. Now, the NSA is collecting metadata, the data that is about data, and actual data, so that they can try to stop terrorists and other criminals (“Mass”). Although the NSA is trying to stop the criminals and terrorists, most of the time, they are unsuccessful. The NSA is fundamentally incapable of achieving its goals because of the endless nature of the internet, the incompatibility of the NSA’s actions with its ideals, and the negative stigma that the NSA possesses worldwide.

    Read More

  • Cyber Security and Surveillance: Bulk Data and Metdata

    848 Words  | 2 Pages

    The recent leaks, disclosures, and actions of government agencies – namely the National Security Administration (NSA) – have caught the public’s attention and focused it on the protection of privacy and civil liberties. The NSA participates in a bulk data collection program that has accumulated phone data over the past five years in order to track persons suspected of threat to the nation. This collection of mass data without issued warrants violates the Fourth Amendment and brings the potential abuses with this program into view. Not to mention possible cyber security threats: if a subcontractor was able to commandeer this information and leak it, what is stopping hackers from doing the same, or worse.

    Read More

  • Ethics of Surveillance

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    The world erupted in outrage following revelations by Edward Snowden regarding the extent of surveillance perform by the National Security Agency. Privacy becomes one of the hottest topic of 2013 and was chosen by the world’s most popular online dictionary, Dictionary.com, as the Word of the Year. However, the government is not the only one that conduct data gathering and surveillance. Employers often monitor their employees, and businesses collect data on theirs customer. The morality of these practices is a topic that generates heated debate.

    Read More

  • Lack of Internet Security and Privacy

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    A major reason the U.S. needs to increase restrictions on the type and amount of data collected on individuals from the internet is due to the fact that the United States government can track communications and browsing histories of private citizens without warrant or cause. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, ...

    Read More

More about I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Lack of Privacy for the American Public

Open Document