Big Brother

The Internet and privacy is a touchy subject for many and lawmakers as well as normal people are in a “catch-22” situation. Invasion of privacy versus the protection of innocent - or from potentially harmful - people. Years ago, I did a rigorous project on this topic and a particular focus on Edward Snowden. I debated the topic at the end of the year, prosecuting Snowden for what he had done as treasonous to the United States. It was a side I as assigned, not chosen, but one I stand by, despite my views on internet privacy. Before this project and being aware of who Snowden was, I had always heard the phrase “Big-Brother is watching” and throughout my Elementary and early Middle School days, it was something that I had become pretty aware of and was more interested in the subject.

I started to see this first hand when the school intercepted an inappropriate email, sent from my friends email, even though it wasn’t him who sent this. The point is, I am fully aware that people are constantly watching me and that is in order to ensure my safety. I did not need Edward Snowden to do that for me and that is why I was pretty content with my position on the debate.

As I worked through however, despite my content with my debate position, it was starting to become apparent that the government keeps a lot of unnecessary information. Yet it didn’t need to take leaked Snowden files for me to come to this realization. If a person is being monitored by the government for security purposes and they find a lead, they are bound to find other information with that. Business transactions don’t just include credit card details or bank deposit statements, they include name, phone number, email etc. However, all of this information infringes on my rights as a citizen of a democratic republic nation. I am not owned by the government, this is not an extreme socialist system, and despite the government wanting to protect people, I deserve the rights of my privacy. Companies having access to my personal information crosses way over the line, far beyond what I’ve written about here, because it is just so absurd. I’m not here to right law or try and fix the situation, I’m just a student who wants my privacy and I hope, hope that the government will find a way to monitor everyone not just racially or stereotypically targeted individuals without having to go through personal emails of pictures, love snapchats, or grieving private Instagram posts. This is a country built around security and yet privacy. People will say I’m a biased democrat, but I am all for successful business. It is what drives the economy. However, seeking my personal information crosses the line.