"I don't mind if the Government wants to spy on us, if it makes us safer."
I've heard this uttered more times than I care to count in the last few days. I hope to address two issues in this post: A) Why it matters that our Government wants to spy on us, and what affect it can have on you; and B) How our Government is already capable of spying on you with the stroke of a few keys.
Of the two topics, the "how" is more fascinating to me. The irony abounds that I am using Blogger to create this post. A site run by Google, who we know is in cahoots with the NSA by providing an open conduit to their servers. The second this article was auto saved, words like "PRISM, Government and spy" sent red flags to some computer that marked this article as being "of interest." More so, the fact that you are reading this article has probably added your name to a list of people "associated" with me. So, let's hope that this article doesn't rub anyone the wrong way, right?
THE "HOW" EXPLAINED - I read an article yesterday that was analyzing the statements of Edward Snowden, the whistle-blower who leaked information about NSA's PRISM program. In Snowden's statements, he claims that all he needed was your email address and he could wiretap you from his computer. The article questioned the ability to "wiretap" using an email address. Their point being that "wiretapping" refers to audio transmissions, whereas an email is clearly written communication. If you get anything from this article, let it be this: Government agencies can wiretap your mobile phone's microphone even if the device is off! Your mobile phone is tied to your email address. With a few keystrokes, people like Snowden can listen to your conversations and use your phone GPS capabilities to know where you are. Your phones Bluetooth capabilities can be used to identify other compatible devices within a room, as well as identify the phones of those around you. Anyone that you encounter can be marked and identified, then tracked and listened to. And the fact is, this can be done without the request of a warrant, thanks to the Patriot Act. It gets scarier. Your laptop with the built in camera and microphone can also be accessed, just as easily. The VoIP phone on your desk, can live stream every word that you say in your office, with just a few keystrokes. The thing is, we've embraced the technology that makes this all possible. We voluntarily gave up our privacy through tools like social media to help them build a continuously self updating database on virtually every US citizen.It's difficult to stay on track with this article without wanting to explain how your Bluetooth enabled car with the built in microphone can be used to listen to a conversation that you have in the "privacy" of your own car, but I will have to digress for a quick moment...
THE "WHY" EXPLAINED - "I don't mind if the Government wants to spy on us, if it makes us safer." It makes me cringe, just to write it. Let it be known that I'm not doing anything wrong, either. But, articles like this one make the Government uneasy. Why? Because, it is counterproductive to the message that they have been trying to send us. The message that this is all being done to protect us from terrorist. Don't get me wrong. These techniques are extremely effective in preventing foreign and domestic terrorism. As a technology nerd, I am impressed with the lengths that they have gone to establish a network of microphones and cameras that can be tapped into at a moments notice, without even alarming the American people. But, we should be alarmed. The rights given to the Government through the Patriot Act clearly violate the 4th Amendment. Wiretapping the entire population without a warrant should not be justified under any circumstance. Quite frankly, it's sloppy police work.
What you need to understand is that you do not need to be a person of suspicion to fall victim to a Government wiretap, you only need to be associated with a person of suspicion. The bad part is that you may not even know that you are associated with such a person. They could be your doctor, your lawyer, a school teacher or even your barista. I'm just saying, it doesn't take much to open a file. And, once it's open, who knows what can happen to you. (Seriously, that last sentence is hyper-linked for a reason.)
In closing, just know this. The United States becoming a police-state may sound far-fetched. But, it's possible. People will say that our Constitution will protect us, but this article points out that American's are willing to turn a blind eye to the Constitution if given enough reason to do so. Let me be clear, when a Government (any government) tells you that they are taking away your freedom's and liberties for your own protection, it is Propaganda, pure and simple. I could go on and on.
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