by Albert Juul

Created on: February 22, 2007   Last Updated: May 30, 2012

Technology exists to make life easier, however as we embrace technology, something that many of us feel is sacred is slowly slipping away from us; our privacy. In the post 9-11 world we now live in none of us are safe from Big Brother.

The Constitution, specifically the fourth amendment is no longer sufficient to protect our privacy in regards to computers and technology. With the advances made in cell phones, GPS and PDA's and computers, our movements may be tracked no matter where we are; our locations easily pin- pointed. In some cases such technology may be necessary, even welcomed, such as the case where a person is carjacked; using GPS systems installed on a persons vehicle has allowed police to locate the vehicle and arrest the perpetrators of the crime shortly after the crime has been committed. However as with all technologies, there exist the possibilities of abuse, not only from individuals but also from government agencies.

Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.

Thanks to the Patriot Act, the government can now execute warrantless searches of personal property in direct violation of the fourth amendment. Ideally the Patriot Act would only apply to persons suspected of committing or planning an act of terrorism. But if there is one thing that the history of our government has taught us, it is that when given the power to conduct domestic surveillance, if left unchecked, the government will almost always eventually abuse that power. The military has already been found to have compiled dossiers on Iraq war protesters.

Then there are the warrantless wiretaps of American citizens by the NSA, authorized by President Bush; a clear violation of the law. But President Bush is not the only president in the history of the United States who believed that he is above the law. Although President Bush says that the government is not trolling through the lives' of innocent Americans, one has to wonder if he had nothing to hide, why was it so important to keep his wiretap program secret, probably because he knew it was illegal and the citizens of this country would have a fit when they found out.

I think we can all agree that we all want the government to protect us and keep us safe from terrorists. But do any of us want to lose the fundamental rights that are given to us and protected by the Constitution? By stripping us of those rights, the government is not fighting terrorist but actually helping them by destroying part of what makes this country great.

So the next time you are going to send an e-mail, make a phone call, or send a text message, be careful of what you say or do because Big Brother is Watching You.

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