Well Informed #2

    WI: Security and Privacy

             This topic was a big eye opener for me. I have always heard talk that the "NSA was watching our every move." It was never clear to me how serious this was. I have a strong feeling of an invasion of privacy with everything I do now. I have always thought we just had to be careful what we say/google/post etc on the internet but after reading these articles and videos, I never knew how important this really is.

              After watching the United States of Secrets video on frontline, it left me feeling uneasy that the government is doing things we really don't know about. In a way, I felt as though it's the right idea to have this type of heavy surveillance on citizens for the intent to watch for terrorist or wrongful activity. But, to an extent. Once they have enough information that a citizen is not a threat, the surveillance shouldn't continue on those citizens. This is a tough subject but my opinion is that having "The Program" is safer than no type of surveillance at all. I found it surprising that so many major companies such as AT&T, Facebook, etc were helping the government collect information on individuals. It was also interesting to read that the government wasn't lawfully allowed to seek through emails but, certain companies could for advertising purposes. Like Obama states, "We cannot have 100% security with 100% privacy."

               Catherine Crump on Ted Talk talked about how the police have cameras taking pictures of our license plates and cars to see where we go about during our daily lives. I feel so violated learning this information. This now makes me feel uneasy even leaving my house. If there were a crooked cop with bad intentions of stalking someone, it could be really deadly. 

                Even with the possibility of consequences, I think the use of technology to prevent criminals/terrorists around us could be a useful thing.