SOCIAL IMPRESSIONS

Last week, I finished reading Dan Brown’s debut thriller “Digital Fortress” which discussed a virtual attack against the National Security Agency’s (NSA) secret computer, TRANSLTR. This computer monitors and decodes e-mails exchanged by terrorists and intercepts messages sent by private citizens. While Brown’s book was fiction, a similar organization with an analogous function exists. It was recently disclosed that NSA collects phone call records of millions of Americans through telecommunication companies like AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth. Are people entitled to privacy or should their respective government have the ability to access their private information?

I have received mixed responses from my friends when I asked them that question. Some are not concerned because they feel they have nothing to hide. Others said that they are willing to sacrifice some of their privacy for the benefit of their country. Much like John Stuart Mill’s utilitarian philosophy, they believe that by relinquishing their privacy, they are providing the greatest amount of good to the greatest number of people. So what if someone is eavesdropping on their calls, or in “Digital Fortress’” case, reading their personal e-mails? At the end of the day, lives will be saved and peace will be maintained.

The last set of opinions was much like the protagonist from “Digital Fortress“, Ensei Tankado. This former NSA programmer paralyzes TRANSLTR with his unbreakable code to force NSA to admit that this machine exists. His favorite saying was, “Who will guard the guards?” This is an ethical dilemma not only for Tankado, but for many people who realize that their privacy and freedom is a sacred necessity. Moreover, how does one know that the information they gather is really used for good?

From what I gathered from my discussions, the ?Let ?em listen? attitude prevailed, especially since the 9/11 attacks. People no longer feel safe and depend on their government to protect and defend them. Invasion of their privacy is a small price to pay to ensure the safety of themselves, their families, and friends.