Under Observation We Act Less Free By Edward Snowden

“Under observation, we act less free, which means we effectively are less free,” was a statement given by Edward Snowden, who is regarded as both a hero and a traitor. The government loathes Snowden for divulging top secret NSA documents, detailing the government 's surveillance activities, to the public. The government is covertly encroaching the lives of millions in society without their consent. When questioned about their unjustified actions, the only response given is to ensure security. Judging by its ignorant answers, the government does not seem to know what security is. Security is not the same as espionage on a country’s citizens or allies. Security does not oppose the people or break laws. However, the government is doing exactly …show more content…
When an immense mass of data exists on more than 75% of the population, it becomes common sense that government employees and the government itself will see opportunity to use this data for their own interest, rather than for the benefit of the country. To support this claim, a few known proven cases of misconduct were admitted by NSA employees. "Hey, check this out," one said he would be told, "there 's good phone sex.”(Business Insider) NSA analyst Adrienne Kinne informed ABC that she had personally eavesdropped on “hundreds of phone calls between Americans.”(Business Insider) The most appalling revelation was when NSA analyst, Russ Tice disclosed that he saw “NSA orders to tap the phone of then-Senator Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Senators John McCain, Diane Feinstein, and a current supreme court justice.(Business Insider). These actions are considered outrageous, especially after involving influential people within the government such as senators and supreme court justices. However, this behavior is what is currently known to the public since the majority of any miscalculation or failure is quickly covered up or prevented from reaching the public or the media. "Outrageous abuses ... have happened, and it 's all being kept hush hush," Tice told Business Insider.”(Business Insider). As a result of the confessions and actions of NSA employees, the people begin to lose the miniscule amount of trust they have in the government. The failures of government employees to responsibly deal with invaluable data and the NSA’s orders to execute immoral tasks represents the government’s inability to manage massive amounts of information and keep it from