Right to Privacy
Terrorists are winning. I’m not talking about another violent act of destruction, but the eroding of basic human rights by our government in their attempt to fight terrorists. For example, how many rights were suspended by the US government at Guatanamo Bay?
Even though a right to privacy is not explicitly stated in the US Constitution, The Bill of Rights covers aspects of privacy (src). Like many around the world, I believe the government does not have a right to get any and all information about its citizens. US went too far with the Patriot Act (which allows the FBI and others to get personal private info on anyone in a super secret way without a warrants via NSL), and now the UK is going ever further.
As part of a European Commission directive, the Interception Modernisation Programme beginning on March 15 2009 states all internet service providers in the UK will be required by law to collect records on all internet traffic and every e-mail, to be stored in a national central database. No warrants needed.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” — Benjamin Franklin, 1775
“Give me liberty or give me death” – Patrick Henry, 1775
Remember Hitler’s Enabling Act of March 23, 1933, which suspended all fundamental freedoms of speech, assembly, freedom from invasion of privacy (mail, telephone, telegram) and from house search without warrant. Let us hope it doesn’t go that route.
Chad’s Tips – What can you do?
- Encrypt your digital communication. Just like when you goto your bank’s website, use SSL on the web (HTTPS) as much as possible, like https://gmail.com/
- Be informed and support Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), EPIC, and ACLU’s privacy work.