Unsigned: Lack of Security Leads to Violation of Privacy
February 21, 2020
Today’s society is heavily influenced by technology. People use technology for different purposes, and one large function is the collection of data. From hackers to corporations to governments, many groups are able to find information that people willingly or unwillingly put online. In today’s day and age, there is a startling lack of security that allows for those with ulterior motives to violate the privacy of others.
The United States Government is one group that gathers information on people without their consent. According to USA Today, Section 702 of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act (FISA) allows U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept electronic communications of foreigners outside the U.S. who are suspected of being terrorists, in order to watch for suspicious terrorist activities without requiring a warrant. This wouldn’t be an issue, except that American information is also being intercepted. If an American is unknowingly speaking to a foreigner who is under surveillance, that American’s information can be taken without a warrant (usatoday.com). This is a breach of American privacy as well as a violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, and should not be allowed.
Though these actions were originally deemed unconstitutional by the The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which is supposed to keep FISA in check, it did little to stop the government’s backdoor searches, only requiring the agencies to document exactly why they were conducting said searches through American information (eff.org). Additionally, proposed restrictions placed on this aspect of FISA, which require a warrant in order for agencies to look into intercepted American information, were denied because of fears that it would hinder the prevention of terrorism (usatoday.com). The government needs to stop protecting this legislation and consider the privacy of its citizens. As a matter of fact, the legislation itself should not be legal in the first place. The government has no right to the information of innocent people.
Large corporations are also known to gather people’s information when they surf the internet in order to cater to their marketing needs. According to National Public Radio, data brokers are big businesses that collect information from people and sell it to other companies. They know a considerable amount about a person based on what they search on the internet, which makes the information valuable to big companies. This way, companies can show a person advertisements based on what they searched for (npr.org). On the surface, it only seems slightly creepy, but their information runs deeper than whether a person needs a new jacket.
Data brokers can easily figure out vital information. According to an American publication about technology, “These firms compile info from publicly available sources like property records, marriage licenses, and court cases. They may also gather your medical records, browsing history, social media connections, and online purchases” (wired.com). Though this information is considered public, it is still considered very private to many people who don’t want possibly sensitive aspects of their lives out there for anyone to see. Information such as that shouldn’t be free to end up in the hands of greedy companies looking to make a quick buck. “It’s pretty weird and scary that companies can see our online activity. We should definitely have more privacy when it comes to this stuff,” said Junior Audrey Legaspi. Even worse, what if the information lands itself in the hands of people who could be dangerous? What about identity fraud, or stalkers?
The worst part is, what they’re doing is legal. There are few regulations on data brokers, and “…[a]massing and selling your data… is perfectly legal” (wired.com). The fact that companies can get our information so easily and without consequences is, frankly, horrible. People should have more personal privacy on the internet, allowing them to browse without fear.
In an age of technology, people are always being monitored, whether it be by the government or by the private sector. There are many means by which anyone can see what others are up to, and we lack the necessary legislation to fix the issue. We must enforce more regulations on both the government and big companies to protect our privacy.