Internet communication is the most crucial component of our modern world, providing unlimited interaction between countries across the planet in merely seconds of clicking send.
Technology has stepped into an era of instant access and easy-to-use devices with which everyone can participate. Though, with the addition of such complex abilities to our society, some have questioned the privacy we have while browsing the World Wide Web.
The NSA, also known as the National Security Agency, serves to protect the United States against militant attacks and other forms of terroristic threats.
In recent months, the NSA has gained an infamous reputation for national and international spying that was exposed by Edward Snowden and other organizations like WikiLeaks. Countries are now stepping into the situation and demanding answers to why there has been so much unnecessary spying going on. According to BBC news Angela Merkel, German chancellor, said US and British spying shows a certain level of distrust.
She accused the agencies behind the spying for economic gain rather than for national security reasons. During Merkel’s third term speech she said no one doubted that these agencies had helped protect Germany from terrorist attacks.
But she does not think it is right for the US and Britain to gain advantage of “all imaginable data -— arguing that it helps their own security and that of their partners.”
“Can it be right that it is not just about defending against terrorist threats but also to gain advantage over their allies, for example, in negotiations at G20 summits or UN sessions? Our answer can only be ‘No, that cannot be right.’” said Merkel.
Though, as depicted by Reuters, U.S. Army General Keith Alexander, head of the NSA, defends these acts.
“It is much more important for this country that we defend this nation and take the beatings than it is to give up a program that would result in this nation being attacked,” Alexander said.
This kind of behavior out of our government should not be taken lightly.
With so much data collection, I feel that this goes way beyond invading our privacy and steps over multiple boundaries.
I would never “take the beatings” and give up some of my liberty just to become more secure in our society. What kind of freedom do we have if the government is constantly breathing down our necks, watching our every move? If the American people are anything like me, they enjoy their privacy.
Sure, the government may not specifically be watching over what I do, but just the fact that I know they are watching to some extent makes me feel less safe than I was before. I support our liberty with everything that I am and will do everything in my power to protect it.
The reports and stories that have recently surfaced just further my suspicion of our government and what they are actually doing in order to protect us from terroristic attacks.
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