Issues: Privacy


Keeping an eye on potential terrorists*


*That would be you.



Episode 5: Keeping a Close Eye on Privacy

Alexis thinks she’s being spied on. With her being this paranoid, Gov really needs to keep an eye on her!

New to the series? You might want to check out our pilot episode here.

12x increase in government surveillance
Privacy? Is that some sort of terrorist code word?


pen-registers-trap-and-trace Created with Sketch. 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 % Increase in Trap & Trace % Increase in Pen Registers 1500% 1200% 600% 900% 300%

Sources:

  1. DOJ FOIA Requests by ACLU, PEN REGISTER & TRAP AND TRACE FOIA REQUEST – DOCUMENTS RELEASED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
  2. DOJ Reports on the Use of Pen Registers and Trapa and Trace Devices
  3. Slight Paranoia, 6/15/10

How is government involved in your privacy?

Well, it's:

  • Drastically increasing spying on its own citizens in the name of fighting terrorism and the “war on drugs.”
  • Using technicalities (“It’s only metadata!”) and redefining terrorism to allow government agencies' power grabs on surveillance.
  • Forcing private companies like Google and Microsoft to share data with them.

Government just isn’t very interested in your privacy. As it turns out, individuals’ privacy tends to get in the way of the surveillance plans it feels it needs to combat terrorism and for it’s unending and costly war on drugs. Instead of protecting your rights, the government is actively working against them.

Check out these links to learn more: