Should security over take privacy? - [Closes 21/05/07]

[Tash.]

I'm against it. I mean fair enough there does need to be some level of security over privacy but having your e-mail, phone and even privacy of a toilet overtaken? No thank you. I would not like the feeling that I was constantly being watched/listened to. Also, as people have said the government should not control it.. i'd feel like I was living in a dictatorship, not doing/saying anything without being monitored.

[GommeInc]

I am certain you are not actually watched, more like recorded. When a murder has happened, they review the recordings from cameras to see your "final steps." Unlessit has changed?

[T0M]

Im happy to have cameras in public areas as people have said.

But what we say on our own phones/emails is our own business and nobody elses, nobody should have the right to control our lives and make us scared to say our true feelings to our friends/family on the phone/email

[Concentric2]

Personally I think security should take over privacy. If a suspect terrorist is talking on the phone to someone else - the police should have the right to listen to what he is saying. If they were not allowed then the terrorist could be organising another attack which could result in the death of hundreds.

But at the same time many other millions of people will be using their telephones quite legitimately to have what they feel should be a private conversation. Do you really think the government should be able to listen to everything you say on your phone, read every text message you send, every email you write, and so on, just in case you're a "terrorist"?

[RedStratocas]

Personally I think security should take over privacy. If a suspect terrorist is talking on the phone to someone else - the police should have the right to listen to what he is saying. If they were not allowed then the terrorist could be organising another attack which could result in the death of hundreds.

The key word there: Suspected terrorist. Of course if there's a suspected terrorist, the government is going to listen in on his conversation whether they're allowed to or not. But should government be listening to what people are saying just for the hell of it? Just to make sure they arent doing anything bad? They dont suspect anything, they just want to know.

I think if it gets to that point, itll be scary.

[BL!NKEY]

But at the same time many other millions of people will be using their telephones quite legitimately to have what they feel should be a private conversation. Do you really think the government should be able to listen to everything you say on your phone, read every text message you send, every email you write, and so on, just in case you're a "terrorist"?

They wont read your or anyone's emails or listen to phone convertations if you are not suspicious. If a computer picks up words like hijack, bomb, or terrorist then they might see what is going on. If they see that in contex, it is just a 14 year old boy joking with their friends nothing will happen. If it is some dude named Muhammad AlMundo organizing a terrorist attack then they might take some action.

The government wont find that on MSN you said you had a crush on someone and they will print it in the news. They will only act on illigal behavior.

And what problem should we have on stopping people from doing illigal stuff.

[Concentric2]

They wont read your or anyone's emails or listen to phone convertations if you are not suspicious. If a computer picks up words like hijack, bomb, or terrorist then they might see what is going on

Yes but to do that they have to monitor all calls to find the dangerous ones. I'm not saying that they are going to read every email/text etc but with that legislation in place they have the power to if they wish, and that's the important part.
My point is that you have to watch what power you allow the government to give themselves. Just because in very odd cases it will give them the advantage of being able to intercept a dangerous message doesn't mean it's a good idea - for the vast majority of people it affects (basically everyone) it's an invasion of privacy.

[-Soph-]

Yes.

Although i'd prefer it if the cops weren't listening to my boyfriend and mines conversations i'd prefer that than get blown up tbh.

(I know being part of a terrorist attack is very unlikely, but its definatly not impossible)

[lAdmire]

I think that is too far. But... I believe they are trying to make a change to try && protect the country from any terrorism act that can happen in their country. I go with both sides. One side I say privacy is privacy && no one should try && interfere in your privacy. Then the other side is that their trying to make an improvement in their safety against terrorism.

[Mentor]

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Franklin

A good quote, i dont belive we should give up are privacy just becuse someone minght possibly do somthing bad in the future.
Where giveing up what we are trying to protect in order to protect it.
Doing so is only going to leed to worse things.