The Importance Of Privacy Vs National Security

Isn’t it fascinating how a little spinning wheel or a single bar can frustrate even the most innocent, stress-free child or the grandparents who have just received their first smartphone? In this day and age, it is rare to spot a phone without its corresponding human glued to it. Technology and the online world plays a colossal role in the lives of millions of Americans, whether it helps them find a partner through dating sites or updates them on all the events their friends attend while they stay home in bed with Netflix. What do all these somewhat disheartening activities have in common? A large amount of information is required in order to fully utilize the features various websites have, such as age, name, or maybe even an address and social
Earlier in the year, a terrorist struck San Bernardino but passed away in the action, leaving behind his phone and all the data on it. Apple refused to unlock the phone for FBI investigation because of the confidentiality contract it signed with its customers. In this case, what would be right move to make: respect the terrorist’s privacy or unlock it for the safety of the country? Do deceased people even still have rights? Many similar questions arose during the ongoing controversy of privacy versus national security. Even Donald Trump addresses this issue during the presidential debate. The security of the nation is unanimously a priority in the lives of American citizens and there need to be precautionary measures. He suggested that Muslims and people of certain religions be closely monitored or even exiled from the country to keep it safe from terrorist attacks. Although Trump’s recommendation is a rather unpopular radical, extreme change to the culture of the country, some sort of preparatory measure is definitely needed. How would the country keep itself protected without surveillance? The other options are mostly likely too severe, such as banning some items no matter the circumstance or banishing certain races altogether, but compromise is impossible with such matters. People will find loopholes if there are exceptions and exploit
Shouldn’t they be able to protect their data because of laws and rights? It is not specifically stated in the Constitution or another source that the government is not allowed to access a citizen’s data. The only amendments stated that relate to the right of privacy are the first, third, fourth, and ninth; and none of them discuss anything besides physical aspects of confidentiality and beliefs. Digital and other approaches to collect data are not mentioned in the amendments, only protection against substantial searches. Therefore, there are many gray areas regarding modern-day privacy in the Constitution. Honestly, a large portion of secrecy is dependent on the policies of companies that take information. Some, such as Apple, placed confidentiality as a priority and will not release their customer’s data to anyone no matter the circumstance. Other might not promise such a high level of confidentiality and may sell their consumer’s information to data brokers. In the end, it is up to the client to check the privacy policies of the organization they shop at since nothing is guaranteed to them in the Constitution. Government officials are not violating any rights by surveying the citizens of America, and ultimately they complete such actions to keep the entire country safe. Although examination may cause a single individual discomfort, catching the sole dangerous outlier trumps the temporary and minor