Surveillance by the National Security Agency

Introduction

It has been sixteen years since the September 11 terrorist attacks in America, and only four years since Edward Snowden revealed widespread surveillance of phones and Internet data. Since then, there has been a mixed reception to the government spying program (BBC). On December 12th, 2016, George Gao, a writer with Fact Tank News, decided to create an article titled Surveillance Policy in response to the reactions.

Surveillance is an Essential Tool

George begins his article by stating that the United States is today confronting a broader spectrum of security risks than ever before, which is largely true given the available data on the number of threats that have been recorded ever since the program was started. However, the surveillance is an essential tool necessary for protecting the nation and its citizens against the threats. Having the world leading intelligence community in America should be considered a fortune. The intelligence community is a mission-oriented workforce that operates under the legal and oversight regime to protect the citizens of America. Moreover, they are capable of raising the inevitable and essential inquisition for the accountability and transparency of an individual.

The Center for a New American Security

According to Barton in his article, he says that the Center for a New American Security started a two-year activity geared for the building up another way to deal with surveillance approach for the other organizations. As a component of this venture, CNAS has held 14 major workshops and carried out more than 80 private discussions and meetings with relevant security officials in the national security and protection community. The author purports that the participation of these officials was priceless to the welfare of the citizens which to me is not true. There might be a reason as to why those workshops and meetings were held.

Edward Snowden’s Leak

He goes ahead to confirm that the leak of information by previous National Security Agency worker Edward Snowden abused the law and jeopardized the continuing gathering endeavors. He additionally articulates about the watershed moment over the surveillance by the government in the current generation era which requires more surveillance due to the technological advancement and accessibility of internet (Barton).

The Leaks’ Impact on Privacy

Nicole, a journalist at The New York Times, clarifies that it is true that the leaks by the contractor revealed the data collection scale by the government was an order of great value more than what most Americans believe. It created an impression around the world that government of the United States of America through its security docket was collecting personal data of ordinary citizen without their knowledge indiscriminately (Nicole).

Reverberating Effects of the Information Release

The effects of the release of the information have continued to reverberate in different societies and not only in America. Law enforcement and intelligence gathering have been impeded by the backlash which affected the competitiveness of the United States of America on technology besides creating unnecessary friction between the American government and its significant friendly nations (Nicole). However, most people are still skeptical that the American Government has respect for their privacy through their mode of communication.

Government Reforms

George stipulates that from 2013, the government has done its best to repair the damaged American reputation through making some reforms in the security legal authorities and surveillance practices. It is true that the governments have done something to soothe the nation’s name, but still, it has the power and necessary resources to do more for the country. The author highlights some of the reforms as follows;

Former President’s Recommendations

The review of the former president of the Group of Intelligence and Communication Technologies whose most recommendations have been made laws which is a fact and the President Policy Directive 28 that need the practice signals insight in the Protection of the non-American abroad (BBC). This was a clear indication that the intelligence surveillance was primarily meant to protect the Americans wherever they are in the world, and it was not for the benefit of everybody in the world which should not be the case since it is not the American digital privacy that is being compromised.

U.S.A Freedom Act

Through the U.S.A Freedom Act the NSA’s collection of the calls of the Americans was stopped, and a more important measure was taken which according to the author, it was not appreciated by the citizens to enhance transparency in the surveillance of the government (George). The unprecedented efforts by the intelligence community explain how the whole system works is termed right by the author not knowing that the government through its security department can prepare a false statement to the Americans who may think that their privacy is not infringed, but in contrary, all their communication is assessed.

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

The final reform that has been used by the government according to George is the emergence of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. According to him has it is energetic, credible, public facing and has the independent evaluator of the main programs of the surveillance but who knows when the independent evaluator will fail to deprive every citizen the deserved privacy?

Conclusion

Privacy is necessary and is a right of every citizen. The monitoring of one’s communication is unethical in relation to psychology. Security of the citizens is vital, and that is one fact that we have to live with, but still, the privacy of the individuals should not be infringed in the name of security as stated by Nicole. The security departments have the power, resources and the necessary intellect to maintain law and order without denying the citizens their freedom of privacy.

Works Cited

Barton, Gellman. Edward Snowden. 25 December 2013. Web. 28 April 2017.

BBC News. Edward Snowden: Leaks that exposed US spy programme. 17 January 2014, Web. 28 April 2017. .

George, Gao. Surveillance Policy. A Pragmatic Agenda for 2017 and Beyond. 2016: 1.

Nicole, Perlroth. Hacking Group Claims N.S.A. Infiltrated Mideast Banking System. 15 April 2017. Web. 28 April 2017. .