Legal Snooping
The United States have always been wary of terrorism and other threats to our national security. Other countries seem to despise us, whether it be for differences in religion or ethics, difference in cultures, or simply a strong envy of our opulence. While America has always been very conscious of our security, the 911 attacks showed us that our defenses were not infallible, and there is always a chance for disaster to strike. This woke us up so to speak, and in today’s day and age, security for our nation is top priority of the government.
You have seen the changes all around you, and they were often blatant. The medium that allowed the attacks, air travel, has been most affected by that fateful day. Many people remember before the attacks when they could go and meet their loved ones in the terminal to greet them, while now they must wait outside. Many people remember zipping through the security lines, while now you are in there forever being searched and prodded. Everyone has heard the news of the airports possibly putting in full body scanners to scan passengers even more thoroughly, and to avoid even more accidents from filtering through.
The most invasive and probably least known aspect of security changes that 911 wrought is the Patriot Act. Everyone is protected by constitutional rights that our forefathers gave to us to make sure the American people were not ruled by a dictator and had their own personal rights. There are many amendments to the constitution; freedom of speech, freedom of unreasonable search and seizure, freedom from cruel and unusual punishments, and many more. These rights are conferred to every American citizen, and taking them away is a crime.
Unfortunately, the government has, but in the name of more national security. Enter the Patriot Act; this enables government to listen and intercept any communication you have if it is deemed suspicious, in an almost 1984-esque Big Brother style. They can read e-mails, tag phone calls, filter though mail, etc. While it is a good thing the government is doing and with noble intentions, this is completely ignoring the constitutional right of search and seizure, as well as violating the people’s indelible privacy rights. They get away with it due to the fact that it is indeed related to the safety of the American people, and while no information has been released to the status of catching anyone or not, it is safe to say there were some terrorists among us.
While you can’t stop the government from eavesdropping on your information, you can stop a vigilante hacker. Using an anonymous proxy will ensure safe and anonymous browsing, and keep you protected from the prying eyes of a criminal. Being anonymous and undetectable online will solve many privacy issues beforehand, and you will thank yourself later.
