The NSA's Global Threat to Free Speech

The issue at hand is that America's National Security Agency (NSA) has been undermining people's right to privacy on the Internet to secure information about people that they think is relative to them and the nation. When one thinks about this, it is, without a doubt, taking away one's freedom of expression. As it says in the article, "It is as the NSA were to mount video cameras in our bedrooms while assuring us that we have nothing to worry about until it looks at  the film." It is irrelevant that these conversations aren't happening face to face or over the phone. These conversations are being held over the Internet, which doesn't make them any less private. It is an invasion of someone's privacy and imposing on their individual rights. Now, does it make it okay to undermine someone's intrinsic rights to ensure safety to a nation? My personal belief says yes. This is completely opposite of what a free expression advocate might say, but sometimes decisions need to be made to ensure peace. There are boundaries and implications when it comes to this process, but I think if we can avoid an imminent threat to our country by invading someone's privacy, then it is well worth it.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/11/18/nsas-global-threat-free-speech

-Bailey Clampitt