District Assessment Writing Task 2

Technology has advanced in over the last fifty years. When the world of the Internet blossomed in the 1990's, it probably didn't seem like it would be a major necessity for anyone to use for a resource. Now it's the contrary. Students go on their phones or computers to research instead of the library, and adults who are working usually do their work on a computer program. We even use the internet to communicate.

It would only make logical sense if the Internet could be a source of mal intentions as well as positivity. However no one would believe the government could be behind snooping and watching people's lives. It has been reported that the US government is collection people's technological data - phone calls, photographs, electronic mail and documents. I believe that privacy should be an expectation whether it's digital or otherwise.

My first claim is that the government is collecting very specific types of data that no one can  be sure has no content. "Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has indirectly confirmed a program called PRISM. This program collects data from overseas customers of large internet service companies like Microsoft, Yahoo and Google and Apple. The program is designed to collect 'audio and video chats, photographs, emails, documents' and other materials. The Wall Street Journal reported on the program and has said the data doesn't include the content of messages."

The data should be very tightly restricted because invasions of privacy by the government happen all too often. "In 2006, reports revealed that the NSA as secretly collecting telephone records to help then discover possible terror plots." Although some believe the NSA had a purpose to intentionally use data, it is still an invasion.

A common rebuttal to claims similar to my view is that the government has a valid reason to access our data because of all of the recent terrorism events. "A senior Obama administration official said that the government need this information to discover whether known or suspected terrorists have been in contact with other persons who may be engaged in terrorist activities, particularly people located inside the United Sates. "Data should be recorded and reviewed by suspected people, but to have innocent people's data collected doesn't seem very wise. Their energy could be put on more "actual" terrorists.

The big debate over privacy versus overall safety is something that will always take heed with this subject. The government believes that the insight found in data will help broaden their knowledge of security threats and protect us. However, some politicians and citizens believe that his type of data collection on such a large scale can come with threats from outsiders trying to hack the databases or corrupt government activities that have happened before. They also fear of our liberty and privacy being taken away from us.

As technology evolves even more, the question of whether government invasiveness on our digital "property" is unjust or not will continue to be an issue. It might be even bigger than we expect. Time will only tell if digital privacy will be honored or shattered.