Is Your Privacy More Important Than My Security?
People greatly enjoy reading books of the dystopian genre, and in many cases the protagonist is fighting against authoritarian governments. As one may recall from the Hunger Games or Divergent, these leading bodies are powerful and controlling. The reader is often rooting for the heroine, who fights against this control. However, in real life, when one evaluates the current situation of government interference in private life for the safety of the people, many will find themselves siding with security. Security versus privacy is a hotly debated controversy in today’s day and age. With the advancement of technology, people have become more aware of the capabilities of a government wanting to keep track of individuals. The question …show more content…
“History has shown that the excuse of national security has often led to the loss of basic rights” (“Privacy vs. Security” 2), as was the case with the Japanese-American citizens during World War II whose basic rights were violated when they were removed from their houses and placed in camps. However, one must learn from ones mistakes and power can also help to protect our freedom in the future. When a choice has to be made, one should still believe in the good of our government, and should place their trust in a government that promises to keep the people safe over the privacy that is gained from not being monitored. Also, “The government cannot stand by and wait until criminal acts are carried out: it must stop attacks before they happen” (“Privacy vs. Security” 2). According to Kandra, “Striking the right balance between security and individual liberty in these scary times is a difficult and contentious undertaking. It’s a debate whose outcome we all have a stake in” (41). However, we must keep in mind that, in the aftermath of September 11, “privacy values are safeguarding our freedom” (Spencer
People greatly enjoy reading books of the dystopian genre, and in many cases the protagonist is fighting against authoritarian governments. As one may recall from the Hunger Games or Divergent, these leading bodies are powerful and controlling. The reader is often rooting for the heroine, who fights against this control. However, in real life, when one evaluates the current situation of government interference in private life for the safety of the people, many will find themselves siding with security. Security versus privacy is a hotly debated controversy in today’s day and age. With the advancement of technology, people have become more aware of the capabilities of a government wanting to keep track of individuals. The question …show more content…
“History has shown that the excuse of national security has often led to the loss of basic rights” (“Privacy vs. Security” 2), as was the case with the Japanese-American citizens during World War II whose basic rights were violated when they were removed from their houses and placed in camps. However, one must learn from ones mistakes and power can also help to protect our freedom in the future. When a choice has to be made, one should still believe in the good of our government, and should place their trust in a government that promises to keep the people safe over the privacy that is gained from not being monitored. Also, “The government cannot stand by and wait until criminal acts are carried out: it must stop attacks before they happen” (“Privacy vs. Security” 2). According to Kandra, “Striking the right balance between security and individual liberty in these scary times is a difficult and contentious undertaking. It’s a debate whose outcome we all have a stake in” (41). However, we must keep in mind that, in the aftermath of September 11, “privacy values are safeguarding our freedom” (Spencer