With the growing security threats in the United States such as the 9/11 attacks, which claimed the lives of many Americans and foreigners the National Security Agency put in place measures that ensure that the United States government monitors the communications of its citizens. Despite the security concerns, the American constitution defends the rights and freedoms of speech. Consequently, there have been varied reactions on the government’s efforts to monitor the communication in the interests of national security. These opponents of the governmental monitoring believe that most of the government’s enemies are outsiders. Nevertheless, proponents argue that the government should monitor all or international communications of its citizens. In my opinion, I believe the government should uphold the constitutional rights of its citizens by avoiding the communication of its citizens.
Jaffer J. (June 9, 2013). Our Surveillance Laws Are Too Permissive. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/06/09/is-the-nsa-surveillance-threat-real-or-imagined
According to Jaffer, he believes that the American surveillance laws are too permissive that they fail to safeguard the privacy of the citizens. He additionally believes that the government’s oversight mechanisms have become very dysfunctional. He concludes that the National Security Agency’s access to major internet companies should be limited through the congress. The author believes that the monitoring of communications such as e-mails, personal contacts, and phone conversation of innocent people such as journalists and other citizens of the United States violates the rights and freedoms of these individuals. This article gives proper example such as Der Spiegel and President Obama’s comment on the invasion of privacy. It proves that the government should protect its citizens.
Arthur C. (7 June 2013). NSA scandal: what data is being monitored and how does it work?: Everything you need to know about data gathering from internet companies by the US National Security Agency. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/07/nsa-prism-records-surveillance-questions
This article highlights the Prism project that the United States government has been using to monitor the communication between the United States and foreign nationals though internet companies such as Google, Apple, and Yahoo. It highlights the companies involved in the government scheme, the duration of the surveillance, the data being monitored, and its legal perspective alongside other important issues. According to the fourth amendment, the citizens are protected against unreasonable search. Carrying out such searches violates the citizens’ constitutional rights. Article will help me understand the importance of the fourth amendment with regard to the constitutional protection.
Doherty C. (June 7, 2013). Balancing Act: National Security and Civil Liberties in Post-9/11 Era. Pew research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/07/balancing-act-national-security-and-civil-liberties-in-post-911-era/
This Pew research indicate that most Americans understand the government’s interest in curbing terrorism. However, Americans additionally believe that the government is collecting too much personal information that violates their privacy. In contrast, the research indicates that following the 9/11 attacks, the number of Americans willing to give up their civil liberties for national security have increased. Nevertheless, a good percentage still believe the government should also consider privacy concerns of the citizens, and not only the national threats. This article will assist in ensuring that I understand the reaction of the American citizens, who believe that the government should track the terrorists, and not the citizens.
American Civil Liberties Union. (June 21, 2013). How the NSA's Surveillance Procedures Threaten Americans' Privacy. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/nsa-surveillance-procedures
This article reveals that the rules that were initially intended to protect Americans’ privacy have become very weak, and that the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense have violated the basic rights of the citizens. This article highlights some of the eight procedures that I would require to understand the requirements and the extents the NSA is permitted to monitor the conversations of the citizens. This article has changed my view on the subject since I have noticed that there are procedures involved in gathering personal information.
Freedom of Communication on the Internet. (2003). I-Ways, 26(3), 96.
This article addresses the declaration that the Council of Europe adopted on May 2003 concerning the freedom of communications over the internet. This article will assist me in understanding the regulations of other areas in the world such as Europe, where the U.S. also seeks intelligence information.
References:
Jaffer J. (June 9, 2013). Our Surveillance Laws Are Too Permissive. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/06/09/is-the-nsa-surveillance-threat-real-or-imagined
Arthur C. (7 June 2013). NSA scandal: what data is being monitored and how does it work?: Everything you need to know about data gathering from internet companies by the US National Security Agency. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/07/nsa-prism-records-surveillance-questions
Doherty C. (June 7, 2013). Balancing Act: National Security and Civil Liberties in Post-9/11 Era. Pew research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/07/balancing-act-national-security-and-civil-liberties-in-post-911-era/
American Civil Liberties Union. (June 21, 2013). How the NSA's Surveillance Procedures Threaten Americans' Privacy. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/nsa-surveillance-procedures
Freedom of Communication on the Internet. (2003). I-Ways, 26(3), 96.
