government surveillance pros and cons

It is clear that the nation and the world is divided almost in the middle. The NSA surveillance programPRISMis one of the most paradigmatic cases of a government spying on its citizens. 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. Keep up the good work. Some cities have placed cameras on stop lights as a way to help prevent people from speeding or from going through a red light. This could help protect peoples privacy and ensure that the government is only using the technology for its intended purposes. There is no actual oversight on the targeting decisions that get made. Individuals such as the brothers behind the Boston Marathon bombings are also potentially dangerous. One of the rules that many people are worried about is the surveillance law. Awareness: are individuals aware that personal information is being collected, who seeks it and why? Due to many terrorist activities in major European countries, this law has become highly debated. 1. A key point to the pro-NSA argument is the idea of freedom versus security. 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. Share your views on the forum below. Since it is not effective enough to deter crimes and theft, why would we spend too much money in it, which not only fails to make us safer but also violates our personal rights? 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!). In addition, its important to consider how the government is using the technology. You can find cameras installed on telephone poles, stop lights, and in the ceilings and exterior of homes and businesses around the world. Prism, the highly secretive government program Why are the benefits of surveillance cameras in public places? Unfair disadvantage: is the information used in such a way as to cause unwarranted harm or disadvantage to its subject? 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? Edward Snowden has been blamed for disclosing this mass surveillance system and. In some cases, if there were no CCTV security camera systems in public places, there would be little or no evidence to convict the person of the crime and the individual may go free. There are many pros and cons associated with the use of mass internet surveillance. Constitutional checks and balances are being eroded. Where should we draw the line? Two women facing security cameras mounted on structure Once the data is acquired, other law enforcement agencies can search through the information without the need to obtain a warrant in some situations. One-way observation is in some ways an expression of control. By keeping an eye on potentially dangerous individuals, the government can help protect citizens from terrorist attacks and keep the peace. Are there better alternatives? Biomass: The renewable energy thats green, clean and here to stay! Individuals can be charged without any knowledge of their participation. On one side of this issue we have people declaring that too muchsurveillance, especially in the form of wearable cameras and computers, isdetrimentaland leaves people without any privacy in public. Wikileaks new release of CIA hacking documents casts new doubts on the ethics of government approach to privacy protection. Top 8 Pros and Cons of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places - Reolink Blog Store Products Battery-Powered Security Cameras Argus Series (5G/2.4G WiFi Connection) Argus 3 Pro Argus PT (5/2.4GHz) Argus Series (2.4G WiFi Connection) Argus 3 2K It is a matter of course that most people in our society would object to this solution, not because they wish to commit any wrongdoings, but because it is invasive and prone to abuse. When data is collected, whether such data remains used for its stated purpose after its collection has been called into question, even by government officials: the European Data Protection Supervisor has acknowledged that even when two databases of information are created for specific, distinct purposes, in a phenomenon known as 'function creep' they could be combined with one another to form a third with a purpose for which the first two were not built (eGov Monitor Weekly 2006). Its important to keep an open mind and consider both sides of the argument before taking a stance. It is impossible to catch everything that happens in society. 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. If a crime is committed in an area where a public surveillance camera has been set up, the chances of catching the criminal are much higher. That money comes through taxpayer support in the name of defense, which means the population effectively pays for the data that the government could potentially use against them under the right set of circumstances. of that night might have been much clearer. With advanced tracking technology, the government can make sure that citizens are safe and protected. Finally, the government could create laws and regulations to govern the use of the technology. The NSA or the National Security Agency carries out most of the domestic surveillance in the United States. Some claimed it was a perversion of the system, that this type of data-gathering is a serious intrusion into people's privacy and entails other risks. 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. Edward Snowden has been blamed for disclosing this mass surveillance system and endangering national security. 5 Reasons to Consider a Headless CMS for Your Business. It expands the government's ability to search private property without notice to the owner. 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? They feel that with the rising threat of terrorism, theft and home grown criminals, it is much safer for the government to keep up with the surveillance of its citizens. One of the biggest transformations we have seen in our society is the diminution of the sphere of the private.. After all, the government only seeks to use these tools to stop terror attacks and criminal activity. How can you stop a person driving a car into a crowd of civilians? 10. Pros. In 2017, the UK government announced that it has managed to prevent 13 terror attacks over the previous five years, in part thanks to surveillance. There are plenty of people who would argue for either side. 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? If you feel this user's conduct is unappropriate, please report this comment and our moderaters will review its content and deal with this matter as soon as possible. Surveillance creates a disturbing culture, wherein those being observed may feel the need to alter their behaviour regardless of whether or not they have done something wrong. When its employed by the government to watch over thecitizens, it has the 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. People tend to react to safety interventions instead of responding to them, which means their effort at harming someone is stopped before it can start. Therefore, as they may seem, they help both currently and in the future. That wont stop the individuals who take their communication underground, but it can pick up many of the conversations and messages that people exchange when trying to coordinate an attack. We have already seen innocent people being placed on watch lists, having their lives placed underneath the microscope of an investigation, and it occurs with ever-fewer pieces of evidence that back up the scope of what is happening. However, while there are some potential benefits to government surveillance, there are also some potential drawbacks. After the Orlando nightclub shooting, how to stay safe in public places, say, a night club, has been a hot topic. WE NEED TO BE KEPT SAFE. Before the 9/11 attacks the NSA needed approval from a court, but after the attacks, they were given free reign to copy any data that possibly linked to terrorist activities. First, as a mental exercise, we ask that the reader consider that these arguments could easily be applied to asking all citizens to carry location tracking devices&emdash;it would make tracing criminal acts much easier, and that it could easily be argued that people refusing to carry these devices only do so because they have something to hide. It is one of three primary methods of collecting information to keep people safe. This is a list of the most common arguments in favor and agaist government surveillance programs: Pros: Having the capacity to trace and check the communication of suspected criminals and terrorist may help avoid crimes and save lives. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the ECB. The courts will assess the procedures to determine if they fit into the correct procedures that authorize this monitoring. 1. So they can make real-time traffic reports, helping people choose the right time and road when going out. By monitoring peoples activities, the government can detect any suspicious behavior and investigate further. How can judicial oversight be considered sufficient when the independence of the judiciary is being weakened? Government surveillance sweeps gather more bystanders than subjects. Negative effects on surveillors and third parties: are there negative effects on those beyond the subject? We should not be nave: the world is not a safe place. There are different points of view and schools of thought related to this issue. With events like the shootings in Texas, the Boston bombing, and other criminal activities in major European cities, surveillance cameras are essential. Second, it can be seen as a form of censorship. Now, the discussion has shifted towards DNA collection&emdash;British police are now pushing for the DNA collection of children who "exhibit behavior indicating they may become criminals in later life" (Townsend and Asthana 2008), while former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has encouraged the collection of DNA data of newborns (Lambert 1998). Natural gas: clean, affordable, reliable energy for all! In the hands of anindividual, the video camera can be a very empowering thing, Mr. Stanley said. By monitoring peoples activities, the government might be willing to take action against certain individuals for their beliefs or opinions. However, the NSA's violation of rights runs deeper. This includes the date, time, and location of all calls. When we install a home security camera, we gain increased house safety. The reason that surveillance is accepted is because it can help governments find terrorists and can help solve crimes. As far as I am concerned, the benefits of surveillance outweigh the disadvantages greatly. When you consider all of the technology investments, labor, and analyzing hours that go into a government surveillance program, the amount of money that gets spent each year can total several billion dollars. However, the cameras are working accordingly. In the case of Mr. Martin, an unarmed black teenager who was fatally shot byGeorge Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, the most crucial evidence about how analtercation between the two began The government justified it as part of the wider security strategy of thecountry. There may not be any oversight over the government surveillance programs. On the surface, it's clear that surveillance of such scope and power violates the protection against unreasonable search and seizure as established in the Fourth Amendment. However, we unfortunately live in an age where acts of terrorism are a daily threat. The Patriot Act was created in response of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. Another form of abuse is voyeurism. Rechargeable Battery Reolink Go/Go Plus, Are Security Cameras an Invasion of Privacy, Pros of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places, Cons of Security Cameras in Public Places, Conclusion of Installing Public Surveillance Cameras. Do we really want to return to an East German model? This image was created for netivist.org. Many people also fail to understand the laws regarding the protection of personal data. For one, it can be perceived as an invasion of privacy. They can help solve crimes, despite not actually being able to prevent them. I cant imagine how bad the situation would be if there were no public security cameras. Surveillance cameras are the best to collect information 24/7. This disadvantage comes to us courtesy of the Upstream program from the NSA. President Obama. It would be a hard task identifying the gunman, but with this law, it may be easier to locate a criminal before they cause any further harm to the public. Countless lives have been saved thanks to these efforts. Just login. On one side of the debate, there are people who say that there is too much surveillance already present in our society. These decisions will continue to be made regardless of the NSAs role. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. 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. 5. In fact, the actual number of attacks prevented is probably considerably higher due to the deterrent effect of the NSAs actions. The NSA or the National Security Agency carries out most of the domestic surveillance in the United States. 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government surveillance pros and cons