WI: Security and Privacy

The issue of security and privacy in our country is an interesting topic. There are many people on both sides of the issue. Many think that it is a good idea for the government to be able to collect and keep information on us that is obtained through security cameras and license plate detectors. They believe that this will go towards helping keep our country safe. Other people believe that it is wrong and violates our fourth amendment right of privacy for the government to be able to collect so much data on each person. According to the U.S. Department of States about the Privacy Act, passed in 1974, states that this act guarantees that "the right of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasion of their privacy resulting from the collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personal information (1)." Some also have the feeling that they are not a criminal so don't keep my information as if they are one.

In a TedTalk given by Catherine Crump entitled "The Small and Surprisingly Dangerous Detail The Police Track About You" she discusses how there are several license plate detectors around on police cars, roads and other places. Many people don't know the detectors are there and don't understand the data that the police are able to keep on each person. They are able to track where you go and then try to determine who you are depending where you go. Police are not only keeping data for people those who are wanted for wrongdoings but for every single person. They are also able to use a technique to determine what cell phone is in what house (2).  These federal agencies have so much data it is ridiculous.

I believe that it is good that we have such technology to be able to help catch criminals and be able to find people who are wanted for wrongdoings. I also believe that it is a violation of the Privacy Act to be able to follow any person and track where they are going. This can especially be scary especially with the unrest between civilians and police brutality. This then gives an opportunity for a police officer or station to wrongfully track someone and retaliate for protesting. Federal agencies should be able to have this information if they are being sought after for a wrongdoing or have been labeled as a person of interest for a crime. For all other people this data should be able to be collected but then eliminated.


1.https://foia.state.gov/Learn/PrivacyAct.aspx

2. https://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_crump_the_small_and_surprisingly_dangerous_detail_the_police_track_about_you#t-286151