Some news reports have suggested that the Bush administration used the USA Patriot Act to look at the e-mails of American citizens without a warrant. What’s your position if this was indeed the case? Should citizens be willing to give up their privacy? Does it bother you to know that your online communications are very potentially semi-private instead of private?
It seems that the United States government is always finding new ‘reasonable’ reasons to gain information about its citizens. The USA Patriot Act was enacted to reduce restrictions on the government’s ability to decrypt phone calls, emails, financial data, and other records. The act technically eased requirements on gathering foreign intelligence information within the US, but left many Americans feeling like they gave up their privacy.
I do not have an exact position on this case. As an American citizen I try to trust our government to obey the laws and stick to basic ethical principles. I believe the USA Patriot Act violates the ethical principle of contributive liberty by taking away citizens’ rights to freedom. By allowing law enforcement agencies the ability to search through personal data without a warrant the Bush administration stripped all citizens of their privacy. The American society as a whole is more likely to give up their privacy rights in times of terrorism. Many citizens view this act as unethical and an invasion of privacy; however, some citizens view the situation differently, and do not mind giving up their privacy.
I am slightly bothered that my online communication is semi-private, but in the end it is my choice to post my personal information, and opinions online for public access. I do not want the government to be able to hack my Facebook account or email, but there are privacy policies and laws for many reasons. By using online communications everyone should look at it from the understanding that if you do not want something in cyberspace, then do not attempt to post it.
“I Pledge” - KES
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