Surveillance does not harm anyone. Public decision-making: was the decision to use a tactic arrived at through some public discussion and decision making process? If the government is monitoring peoples activities, then they might be engaging in censorship as well. 4. Please let us know! There are no private lives, said Dick. After all, the government only seeks to use these tools to stop terror attacks and criminal activity. Thankfully, the NSA has already had great success in protecting the nation from harm. Pros And Cons Of Government Surveillance 492 Words | 2 Pages. The modern equipment for government surveillance can go almost anywhere. Third, it can help stop fraud and identity theft. Equality-inequality regarding availability and application: a) is the means widely available or restricted to only the most wealthy, powerful or technologically sophisticated? Right to challenge and express a grievance: are there procedures for challenging the results, or for entering alternative data or interpretations into the record? The goal is to create a system that is both effective and respectful of peoples rights and freedoms. Adequate data stewardship and protection: can the security of the data be adequately protected? When we install a home security camera, we gain increased house safety. Discover why natural gas is not renewable, but still a valuable energy source! Lets say a gunman appears and fires randomly. The Patriot Act increases the governments surveillance powers in four areas: Records searches. This program was launched in 2007, following President Bush'sProtect America Act, to collect and store data from internet communications from at least 9 major internet companies in the United States, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Skype, Youtube, Yahoo!, Paltalk, AOL and Facebook. Governments are not bound to recognize this confidential nature of this relationship with the data that they collect. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Third, it can be seen as a form of oppression. According to Sara Schwartz of the Huffington Post, the National Security Agency (NSA) has access to the metadata from all phone calls. Even though these issues may not seem like they are connected at first, each story represents a growing movement toward, or away from, a society that features surveillance. President Obama. The danger posed by terrorist groups and criminal gangs is nothing compared to the resources available to a modern state. By monitoring people's activities, the government can detect any suspicious behavior and investigate further. There are plenty of people who would argue for either side. Next, this argument fails to take into consideration a number of important issues when collecting personally identifiable data or recordings&emdash;first, that such practices create an archive of information that is vulnerable to abuse by trusted insiders; one example emerged in September of 2007 when Benjamin Robinson, a special agent of the Department of Commerce, was indicted for using a government database called the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS) for tracking the travel patterns of an ex-girlfriend and her family. At the same time thanks to him individual liberties may be now safer from government interevention. There are privacy laws in place that prohibit those types of searches. Please try again. saying theyhelp in the fight against terrorists and ensure that Americans stay safe. In my third and final civic issues post, I will examine the other side of the surveillance question, this time arguing that the actions of the NSA are necessary to protect American citizens from harm. Why are the benefits of surveillance cameras in public places? Coal slag could kill your grass or give it a boost! In a debate about whether surveillance cameras should be put in public areas, like schools, stores, libraries, airports, bars, and clubs, some individuals feel more secure with the cameras, while other citizens and privacy advocates feel nervous about the fact that they are under surveillance every time they are out in public. Failure to share secondary gains from the information: is the personal data collected used for profit without permission from, or benefit to, the person who provided it? It expands the government's ability to search private property without notice to the owner. In an analysis of the information gathered through FISA 702, the number of non-targeted communications are 10 times greater than the data that the government actually wants to analyze from a suspect. For starters, it can be useful in the fight against crime and terrorism, but it can also be seen as a form of censorship and oppression. Government surveillance places innocent people under investigation. Prism, the highly secretive government program that was brought to light last month by a government whistleblower, is an example of a much larger scale of recording and data. After the Orlando nightclub shooting, how to stay safe in public places, say, a night club, has been a hot topic. Some people claim that there is no evidence to show that the surveillance of the citizens is indeed working. If you want to use it you simply need to, Wikileaks new release of CIA hacking documents casts new doubts on the ethics of government approach to privacy protection. Proportionality: is there an appropriate balance between the importance of the goal and the cost of the means? Wikileaks new release of CIA hacking documents casts new doubts on the ethics of government approach to privacy protection. There are checks and balances in place, and oversight of intelligence and police activities does exist. Alternative means: are other less costly means available? That means any of the information that is collected through incidental gathering can flow to law enforcement even though it was never authorized by a judge. We all have a private life and we dont want others or the government to know. The big question is: Who isgoingto be There is no actual oversight on the targeting decisions that get made. However, if its being used for nefarious purposes, then it can be seen as a major concern. The pros are: When citizens are monitored twenty four hours a day, they feel safer and more protected than when they are not. Foreign governments have demonstrated their willingness to deploy deadly weapons, including radiological and nerve agents, in order to target dissidents and political opponents within our borders. This is a clear case . The Pros And Cons Of Government Surveillance. To put things into perspective, had the NSA not existed, we could have had fifty more Boston bombings over the last decade. That reduces the chances to catch something of concern. Copyright 2023 Reolink All Rights Reserved. The government have claimed many advantages to justify it, such as it allows them to . In some way, it has helped to catch the criminals in society, but it doesnt provide privacy. Is Edward Snowden a hero or a traitor? of that night might have been much clearer. Surveillance equipment can be installed almost anywhere. While there are potential benefits and drawbacks, its important to look at the bigger picture. Another controversy of the use of surveillance cameras in public places is that its effectiveness has not been proven. Know-how about surveillance cameras is vital. You can find cameras installed on telephone poles, stop lights, and in the ceilings and exterior of homes and businesses around the world. Source: This image was created for netivist.org. that was brought to light last month by agovernmentwhistleblower, is an example of a much larger scale of recording and data. With advanced tracking technology, the government can keep tabs on those who are up to no good and ensure that their activities are monitored and kept in check. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. The European Coal and Steel Community: Unity Through Strength! Even if the goal is to spy on foreigners only, the huge volumes of data cannot help but to bring in information from email exchanges, photographs, social medial sharing, and conversations. Another form of abuse is voyeurism. Invalidity: does the technique produce invalid results? Groups such as al-Qaeda work in global networks that are well-organized and difficult to suppress. Needless to say, placing cameras in strategic areas throughout a city can help ensure public safety, protect property, and prevent crimes. If terrorists discover that they have no chance of hiding from the long arm of the law, they will be demoralized and deterred in their plans for evil. A key point to the pro-NSA argument is the idea of freedom versus security. Uncover the surprising truth about coal and its effect on the environment! Video monitoring is the most prevalent and well-known use of AI-based government surveillance. Our moderators will now review this comment and act accordingly. She's been diving into home security industry from the last two years, and sharing practical security tips and tricks. Government surveillance pros and cons. Therefore, it is unreasonable to say that the NSA is overstepping its authority or engaging in acts that violate its mandate. a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington. The Pros And Cons Of Domestic Surveillance. If an individual knows that there are live surveillance cameras in a certain area, they may be less willing to commit a crime near the location for the fear of being caught. 2. Until now, there is no a good check-and-balance system, in order to prevent abuses from occurring. When it comes to the potential benefits and drawbacks of government surveillance, there are some possible solutions. In addition to NSA, other government intelligence agencies such as CIA andFBI were given access to the data collected. Over the last ten years, the agency has successfully stopped 54 planned attacks, 42 of which were considered terrorist plots. A lot has been said about the issue of government surveillance in society today. 9. But if one of those witnesses including Mr. Martin or Mr. Zimmerman had been wearing There are many pros and cons associated with the use of mass internet surveillance. Biomass: The renewable energy thats green, clean and here to stay! Lets explore why natural gas prices are trending downward! I cant imagine how bad the situation would be if there were no public security cameras. Personal opinion however does not control what the government will undertake. It is difficult to see how anyone could support government surveillance. Just login. Never miss Reolink hot deals, news, and updates tailored for you. one that ultimately led to Mr. Martins death came down to Mr. Zimmermans word. Its also important to remember that the technology can be used for both good and bad. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our Privacy Policy unless you have disabled them. Public surveillance can aid in keeping you safe when you are out and about. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. Snowden's revelations triggered a series of domestic and international criticisms. Whats wrong with public video surveillance? 6. 1. Discover why natural gas is the better choice for your energy needs! The problem with this issue is that governments tend to collect and keep the information so that it becomes useful in a variety of ways. The courts will assess the procedures to determine if they fit into the correct procedures that authorize this monitoring. While there are potential benefits and drawbacks, its important to keep a close eye on how the technology is being used and ensure that it is being used responsibly. When you are walking down the street, driving in your car, or hanging out with boyfriends and girlfriends, you will be monitored with cameras placed in public. Therefore, it is in the countrys best interest for the NSA to continue to be allowed to supply the president with the valuable information he needs to make the best decisions possible. Let us say that you and your fellow workers were arguing about a specific issue. Yet, public surveillance does help with the investigation and protect us. United States of Surveillance As the late Frank Herbert once said, "Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. Many citizens share this view and would like their government to do whatever it takes to stop potential terrorist attacks. When we look at the case of Trayvon Martin, who was an unarmed African-American teen that was shot because of his appearance, the most important evidence was the words of the shooter about how the argument between the two began. Prominent examples of surveillance include surveillance cameras, wiretaps, GPS tracking, and internet surveillance. There should be due process, and sufficient political and judicial oversight, but after reasonable criteria have been met it makes absolutely no sense to deliberately tie the hand of government and diminish its ability to protect us. Lets say a crime is taking place, and there are no police officers nearby. Even in a democracy, it would not take much to sleepwalk into a situation where surveillance operations are abused (just look at the Watergate scandal!). Finally, government surveillance can help create a safer and more secure environment. Will Carbon Monoxide Detector Detect Natural Gas, Why Was The European Coal And Steel Community Created, Why Was Coal Important To The Industrial Revolution, Why Is Wind A Different Type Of Resource Than Coal, Why Is Biomass A Better Alternative To Natural Gas Apex, Why Is Biomass A Better Alternative To Natural Gas. Todays technological capabilities take surveillance to new levels; no longer are spyglasses and "dropping" from the eaves of a roof necessary to observe individuals - the government can and does utilize methods to observe all the behavior and actions of people without the need for a spy to be physically present. The end of the matter comes down to a simple question: is it better to have personal privacy or national security? But, are they worth it? With the advent of the Digital Era, many governments have adopted a policy of mass online surveillanceand data mining. When there is a miss from government surveillance activities, then the reaction tends to be an ever-closer analysis of the information that was collected already. However, the same laws do not apply to third parties such as your phone company or internet provider. Then you have the secret programs of the government that can record and analyze data automatically on a mass scale. WE NEED TO BE KEPT SAFE. Or taking a kitchen knife and stabbing random passersby? The first thing to consider when it comes to government surveillance is the potential benefits it can bring. This is a list of the most common arguments in favor and agaist government surveillance programs: Difficult questions: What do you think of the NSA spying on us for security purposes? Some people feel that the privacy of the normal citizen faces increasing threats from the growing surveillance apparatus. Minimization: does a principle of minimization apply? More so, ones that can facilitatefacial recognition. Why isnt coal a mineral? 3. Please consider making a small donation today. When the government is conducting surveillance on a mass scale, then it is impossible for the monitors to pay close attention to everything that happens in society. Overall, the simple lack of control or limits on public camera use is one of the biggest problems. It is unfortunate that individual privacy has been compromised, but the present situation has left us with no choice. With events like the shootings in Texas, the Boston bombing, and other criminal activities in major European cities, surveillance cameras are essential. Two other neighbors believed that Mr. Zimmerman was on top during the fight. A con of surveillance cameras in public places is that these security cameras may be abused. Information used for original vs. other unrelated purposes: is the personal information used for the reasons offered for its collection and for which consent may have been given and does the data stay with the original collector, or does it migrate elsewhere? Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. What do you think about surveillance cameras in public places? Are there means for discovering violations and penalties to encourage responsible surveillant behavior? This can be a major concern for those who value freedom and democracy. 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