Taking a Look at Government Surveillance - 1776 Words

Government Surveillance The primary goal of the government since its founding has been to ensure the safety of citizens. It has developed an array of methods, procedures, and systems to achieve that goal. Throughout the years there has been some form of criticism regarding its methods. The most recent cause for public disapproval and concern stems from government surveillance brought to the light by former contractor of the National Security Agency (NSA), Edward Snowden. Snowden has brought attention to the surveillance being performed by the government that involves the United States. Surveillance could significantly deteriorate relations with other countries and destroy the trust that is held between the citizens and government leading to the collapse in stability and possibly the country itself. The potential for surveillance being used as a tool for the protection of citizens can prove to be monumental, but is vastly outweighed by the negative repercussions it could inflict if misused. Edward Snowden, a former employ in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and a former contractor of NSA has fled to Russia after releasing sensitive information on the NSA surveillance to the Washington Post (Gellman). The domino effect created by Snowdens actions has caused uproar among citizens. The level of the information that was released by Snowden was not every day, common knowledge, but it was information that normally is withheld even from the special court that governsShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Government Surveillance2224 Words   |  9 PagesGovernment Surveillance Government Surveillance, a way that the government says that will keep you safe from foreign dangers like terrorist attacks, espionage, and perhaps a international war. However you have to sacrifice your private life, and business for increased protection and surveillance. Government surveillance, defined by dictionary.com as a noun that states â€Å" Close observation or supervision maintained over a person, group, etc, especially one in custody or under suspicion†(Merriam-websterRead MoreSurveillance And The National Security Agency1729 Words   |  7 Pages There are all different types of surveillance now-a-days. The thought of it has come a long way and it has evolved significantly. There are many pros and cons as to surveillance in today’s world. Also, there are many different ways that technology allows people to get surveillance on many different things such as people, where they go, who they talk to, private information, and so much more. Surveillance and security in the United States has also changed significantly since September 11th, 2001Read MoreThe Government And Its Effects On The Minority Report By Philip K. Dick1399 Words   |  6 Pages The government plays a major role in dystopic stories and novels, and as these stories start to unfold, one can see the flaws in which how government works and how if effects the rest of society. In the Minority Report, written by Philip K. Dick, the mechanisms of the government’s systems begins to show different flaws when surveillance is use to determine the pre-crime of major crimes, and what happens to their citizens once a verdict is reached. Any type of Government surveillance can do moreRead MoreNational Security Agency: Global Surveillance841 Words   |  3 PagesNational Security Agency: Global Surveillance Have you ever pondered on the fact that the government could be observing that text message you just sent to your best friend or what you just looked up on your computer? American citizens were puzzled when they first heard Edward Snowden address the media on the astonishing truths of the NSA and their surveillance. Today, I will undertake both sides of this troubling wrangle, the debate between the supporters and the critics of the NSA. My positionRead MoreSurveillance And The Surveillance Of Surveillance1415 Words   |  6 Pagespersonal information, and surveillance users are unaware is even there. Although this sounds like an invasion of personal privacy and loss of personal liberty, it has turned into the â€Å"norm† and most of the time goes on without even being questioned. In some cases, consensual surveillance has been turned into forms of entertainment. The average person online is very aware of the surveillance taking place, but it is likely they are unaware of th e severity of the surveillance and the justification behindRead MoreThe Problem Of Invading Privacy1321 Words   |  6 PagesThe agency executives taking their seats behind the one-way blackboard, prepared to gain information as their puppets reward the participants with a few dollars or an appreciative sentiment. This situation is echoed within the makeup of our online society, as we are given small benefits and social reasons to allow access to our information, while the government takes in as much data as they can to monitor people and hold them down by their own vices. Through this, the government, commonly referred toRead MoreProtection Vs. Privacy : The Government s Use Of Surveillance1252 Words   |  6 PagesGovernment’s Use of Surveillance Since the industrial revolution, society has continued to grow larger, and more interconnected than ever before. Aiding in this process has been the advancement of technology and ideas. With the extensive advancement of technology, an equally sizable debate on its ethical implications has developed. In recent years an ethical dilemma has arose pertaining to the use of government surveillance. While the increased surveillance of citizens by the government is beneficialRead MoreCensorship Is The Alpha And Omega Of Our Work1281 Words   |  6 PagesIs the Alpha and Omega of Our Work†: Bolshevik Surveillance in Its Pan-European Context’ written by Peter Holoquist, discusses the topic of Surveillance in Russia and how it effected her people. During the time of Stalin – Holoquist believes that surveillance was used to manipulate people, bringing forward ‘the â€Å"new man†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Suny, 52) In this piece – Holoquist states that there was little t race of the belief in public opinion. Instead, the government did what they believed was best, and all shouldRead MoreThe House Of Lords Report On Surveillance, Privacy And The Constitution1140 Words   |  5 PagesThe house of lords report on surveillance, privacy and the constitution is mainly centered on the subject of the government and high ranking officials storing mass amounts of data related to the general public. One of the issues that it touches on is how easy it is for the UK to become a â€Å"surveillance society†. By this they mean the usage of CCTV and data storing getting so routine that the government will know where everyone is at all times. This is a key concern for many people as there are ethicalRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article Personal Privacy Up For Grabs By C. Mitchell Shaw1617 Words   |  7 Pages To take away a man’s right to privacy is to take away his right to live. In the totalitarian government of the novel 1984 by George Orwe ll and the article â€Å"Personal privacy up for grabs† by C. Mitchell Shaw, there lies a sense of knowledge that constant watch does not signify safety or true freedom. Rather, both written pieces focus on the belief that a man without the freedom to act in private without observation is not a man at all--his existence is erased in the process. By analyzing