Right to Privacy

Absolute Power The right to privacy means controlling your own personal information and the ability to allow or deny access to others. As Americans, we feel it's a right not a privilege to have privacy. IT technology and the events of September 11, 2001 are diminishing that right, whether its workplace privacy or personal privacy. From sending email, applying for a job, or even using the telephone, Americans right to privacy is in danger. Personal and professional information is being stored, link, transferred, shared, and even sold without your permission or knowledge. IT technology has benefited mankind tremendously in so many areas, but its also comes with a price. Advancements in technology make all individuals vulnerable to unwanted probing and monitoring. Privacy Laws Privacy is a fundamental right. According to Supreme Court Justice D. Brandeis (Olmstead v. U.S. 277 U.S. 438 1928): The makers of our Constitution...sought to protect Americans in their beliefs, their thoughts, their emotions, and their sensations. They conferred as against the Government, the right to be let alone; the most comprehensive of the rights of man and the right most valued by civilized men. The principle underlying the Fourth and Fifth Amendments is protection against invasions of the sanctities of a man's home and privacies of life. Computers don't invade our right to privacy; people do. Congress decided that certain laws needed to be in place to protect citizens' private information. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures, but our forefathers never imagined a world where our private information would be stored in huge computer databases. The government passed numerous laws to clarify the intent of the Fourth Amendment in order to address technology privacy concerns. The passing of the Electronic Communications

References: Hensarling, P. (2004, June). Power of absolute corruption. H.R. 3162, 107th Cong., 1st Sess. (2001)(enacted) Lithwick, D., & Turner, J scared of the PATRIOT Act?, Slate. Retrieved June 26, 2004 from http://slate.msn.com/id/2087984/ Locy, T. (2004, February). Special report: PATRIOT Act blurred in the public mind Pike, G. (2004, June). A SAFEr USA PATRIOT Act? Information Today v21, 17 America 's Intelligence Wire. Retrieved July 12, 2004 from http://80-web4.infotrac.galegroup.com.library3.webster.edu