Security at What Cost?
Living Free in a World That Watches
How much privacy would you need to feel free?
It's a question that few of us stop to ponder. More conservative media and companies say 'never' and prompt you to buy the latest security system, privacy-protecting smartphone, or other communication device. At the same time, progressives encourage you to trust the government.
A new bill, the American Privacy Restoration Act, was introduced into Congress this month. The bill, introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, seeks to end warrantless data collection and prevent federal agencies from bypassing constitutional safeguards in the name of national security.
It's a reversal of The Patriot Act of 2001.
The Patriot Act granted the government extensive, covert powers to monitor citizens. Agencies like the NSA and FBI could collect phone records, emails, and financial data without warrants or meaningful oversight. All in the name of combating terrorism.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: The American Privacy Restoration Act (H.R. 3245) calls for a complete restoration of Fourth Amendment rights.
Here's what the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution says:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Some might say: If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.
We can look across history and see that that doesn't always hold up. Authoritarian regimes from East Germany to Communist China have always used that same logic to justify surveillance and control.
Fear is one of the most powerful tools used to control people. If you can scare people enough and promise safety or even prove it, they will give up almost anything. It's happened time and time again.
Not just politically but socially, spiritually, and emotionally. It can occur at a national level or even within a family, church, or community.
It brings up a paradox. The more freedom you have, the more likely you are to encounter something or someone that could hurt you.
So you have to decide for yourself what you value more. Freedom or safety?
Benjamin Franklin had this to say about this issue: Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety deserve neither.
The reality for us here in the United States is that we are constantly under surveillance. Perhaps not at the Chinese or North Korean level, but someone is keeping tabs on us. We, however, have no way of knowing precisely what data is being collected or by whom.
And sometimes, we don't have much of a choice.
So what do we do? We recognize the reality we live in and strive to live as free citizens anyway. For that, we need to educate ourselves on the rights we do have. And support bills that uphold them.
We need to actively resist the culture of fear that is often so prevalent around us.
Get out of the house and take a walk, enjoy time with family and friends. Get involved with the causes you care about. Work on projects and pursue your hobbies and interests.
Live your life.
Living in truth is one of the best antidotes to fear. Living freely is more than just laws and policies. It's about the posture of your heart.
When you face the world with courage, you can face it with freedom!
Where do you draw the line between freedom and security? Let me know in the comments or reply to this email!
It's a fact of citizenship that if we want to enjoy public benefits we need to give up some of our rights. Normally we would trust institutions to be responsible and ethical but they not always are. This is why people opt out of the system and live off grid.
Obviously, in a shared society there is no such thing as absolute privacy however we can insist on a level that safeguards our interests and accountability/ethical standards when surveillance is done.