Blog Post 4: Data Collection

John Raymond

            The release of classified information by Edward Snowden and the ensuing revelations about NSA domestic surveillance programs sparked debate about the role of government, and what intelligence agencies should and should not be able to do in the name of national security.  Harris discusses the history of the surveillance programs, largely initiated by John Poindexter dating back to the bombing of the US embassy in Beirut.  However, what is more important than the history of surveillance is the future.  In recent years, the US has faced a more complicated, decentralized terrorist threat that sometimes is realized by only a handful of people carrying out violence.  Harris says that people should expect less privacy with the invention and increasing prevalence of the internet.  It does not follow from the invention of the internet that there should inherently be government intrusion into individual privacy.  However, as computing power and technology progress, intelligence agencies will be able to collect more information and in more detail (if they so choose).

            Unless there is real accountability and oversight into data collection programs, the American public is relying on the NSA and other organizations, who are preoccupied with defeating security threats, to carefully restrict their own abilities, or hold their analysts accountable for any misuse of collection abilities.  Those who enact and participate in these programs believe they are acting in the best interest of their country.  The public is forced to trust that their rights are being protected.   Timothy Burke points out the danger of this idea, that government by the people is being put to the wayside in the name of security.  The issue is, the terrorist threat does not seem to be decreasing, if anything, there seem to be more terrorist networks operating around the world with increasing operational proficiency.  Although idealistic discussions about the rights of citizens and governments run amuck with power, the reality is that such programs are a necessary evil.  As more personal information is being connected to and stored on the internet, the ability of intelligence agencies to delve into the lives of civilians will only increase.  The fact of the matter is unless another surveillance method is developed or the terrorist threat drastically decrease, data collection is an evil we will have to live with.  A realistic solution is not eradication of such policies, but Congressional oversight.