Privacy in the 21st century - Assignment Example

Without obtaining any warrants from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC). It is extremely unfortunate that the government we entrust to uphold and protect citizen rights is the one denying citizens their rights to privacy. According to Liu (2011), the National Security Agency (NSA), listens to telephone conversation of people suspected of terrorism. This is truly offending since phone calls are highly private and sometimes contains information that might be sensitive to the communicating parties.

For example, if one is having a private conversation over the phone with a person close to you like your wife; it is extremely offending when you find out that someone else is listening in on your conversation through another line. The most common type of surveillance done by the government is electronic surveillance, (Levy 2007). Since almost all the communication done is through electronic devices, this is the common type of surveillance. The government may use transmitters referred to as “bugs”.

These are tiny electronic devices that are designed to avoid being noticed. Their main function it to transmit signals of what one is communicating. They can be planted in ones cell phone, computer or even devices such as fax machines. There are other types of bugs used by the government that are designed to notify the government of all the movement of the person in question. These “bugs” are hidden in someone’s personal item such as a wallet; because it goes everywhere they go. There are also other types of bugs that are designed to record video footage.

These devices are planted in one's office or home and record everything that happens there, for it to be analyzed by government agencies such as the National Security agency. Other forms of surveillance include wire taps and the use of drones. It is however necessary to note that, due to the advancement of technology, the National Security Agency (NSA) is able to listen to conversations on cell phones without planting bugs. They are also able to monitor the internet remotely. This is possible through getting into service providers networks and monitoring them.

The research gave me a lot of knowledge and information on how the government is able to invade my privacy. Unfortunately, nothing can be done individually. This is because congress has put laws that allow the government to do this. However, through the American justice system we can fight this. Through the Supreme Court, these laws can be amended or even removed. We should come together and fight this invasion of privacy by the government. Amicus Curiae I would like to offer information on behalf of the plaintiff who include Amnesty international and the other organizations in a case no 11-1025 in the supreme court of the United States of America.

According to Fagan (2012), the main question in the court case if it is legal for international organizations and lawyers to sue the United States Government because the government conducts surveillance on international communication