Surveillance

Technology’s Threat to Democracy

Katia Vales discusses how advances in technology have not only brought countless benefits to humanity but have also infringed on people’s privacy. The author suggests that continuing to use technology to protect the very liberties that the same technology jeopardizes stands as a significant contradiction to the institutions of this country. While it may feel “justified” to use these invasive technologies because of criminal actions, it is vital to consider the bigger picture and think about what it means for citizens to exist in a state of continuous monitoring.

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An Ethical Approach to Big Data Surveillance

Shouyang Wang discusses the trade-off that has occurred between personal privacy and national security in the context of government surveillance programs in a post-9/11 United States. This paper argues that there is an ethical framework that the U.S. government can follow when conducting mass surveillance. The framework is based on various philosophical theories, constitutional rights, and judicial rulings to ensure an ethical and optimized balance between individual privacy and government monitoring.

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