SAVING THE “APATHETICS” OF PRIVACY: PART IV

In the last part of this series on the apathy that exists in today’s population over the identity crisis, Uncle Sam is the focus. You remember the NSA spying, the accessing of Americans’ financial information, and the recent discovery that the FBI has issued more national security letters to see your personal data than what anyone thought possible. The total was 140,000 between 2003 and 2005. That’s right. Looking at your sensitive data without subpoena or showing probable cause. Just…let me see it because GWB wants me to look at it. The feds have also done some warrantless wiretapping so you get the idea; we’re not safe anywhere from Big Brother. But it’s all done in the name of protecting us from terrorism, so it must be OK. Are you aware that the amount of useful information gleaned from all this undercover intrigue is close to negligible? According to Matt Helton’s study, we are bombarded with propaganda over why all this surveillance is necessary in justification of the actions taken by the Bush administration. On the other hand, terrorists are very concerned over their privacy, thus, encrypting most of their information. Something even the largest data brokers in the U.S. refuse to do because of the cost. Where is the logic in all this? You tell me.