¶ … ethical issues, challenges, and dilemmas that have arisen due to technological advances of law enforcement on personal privacy. Addressed are the major pro and con viewpoints of economically, politically, individually, and socially.
Eight sources. APA.
Privacy and Technology
Big Brother is definitely here. Just the other day the news reported that the average American is photographed nine to twelve times per day. Cameras are everywhere. People are photographed while they are driving to and from work, while they are parking their cars, entering their place of employment, and if the company is any size other than a mom and pop shop, they are watched at work. Whether one is making a deposit at the bank, buying groceries at the local grocery chain, gas at the 7-11 store, or browsing books at the library, they are being not only watched, but photographed. From the smallest market to the largest mall, every store and parking lot is equipped with security video cameras. Run a red light or speed down the highway, and one is apt to receive a ticket by mail via the electronic eye that photographed the car, license number and occupants. There is literally no place that is sacred from prying eyes, save the sanctuary of one's own home, and even that is questionable. If one is a computer user, his or her Web surfing habits and emails may be randomly monitored. The truth is that what the local video cameras do not pick up, satellites orbiting the globe from space will.
All of this is done in the name of security and safety. But is the average citizen really safer crossing a parking lot at night? Is the crime rate down from ten years ago? Are there fewer wars? Does society really need to have its every move monitored and photographed in the name of safety and security?
With the technology and communications revolution, it has become harder and harder to keep a secret, particularly from law enforcement. Officials in the Justice Department say this new technology is aiding them in catching more criminals. However, many, especially civil libertarians say that it is a growing threat to everyone's privacy (Jackson 1999). James X. Dempsey of a privacy rights group says, "When law enforcement and privacy clash, law enforcement usually wins" (Jackson 1999). Justice Department and FBI officials claim both issues are of equal concern to them. However, the continual advancement in communications technology makes it easier every day to "tap cell phone, intercept computer messages and collect and analyze all sorts of financial and personal information" (Jackson 1999). Moreover, "tools now exist to see through walls in the dark of night, or to view crime scenes from satellites circling the earth" (Jackson 1999). John Bentivoglio, the Justice Department's chief privacy officer, says that law enforcement are not the only one using computers. Criminals use technology to steal identities and bank accounts and the department is urging for new laws to aide in prosecuting cybercrooks (Jackson 1999).
Critics, however, are suspicious and concerned, as politicians and judges encourage increased surveillance due to terrorism and violent crime. Director of the Washington office of the American Civil Liberties Union says, "It's sort of the classic case of asking people to surrender their civil liberties in the name of security" (Jackson 1999).
Many are concerned about the new roving wiretap policies, complaining that the new authority gives the FBI access to far too many innocent conversations. Although, authorities claim these powers help them combat terrorism and drug rings, critics fear the targets will expand beyond terrorist suspects and potentially 'scary people' (Jackson 1999). Another concern is that phone companies are not allowed to tell customers the FBI is tapping their conversations, although the government must notify targets thirty days after the tap is removed. Moreover, under the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, the telecommunications industry is required to help law enforcement officials, including American intelligence agencies, adapt to new digital and wireless technologies, such as fiber-optic cable. Today when a person places a call, "carries record which...
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