Why Is Mass Surveillance Necessary

Mass Surveillance: Not A Necessary Tool
On September 11, 2001, it was a normal day in New York City until it ended by the two airplanes crashing into the towers of the World Trade Center. Most Americans experienced the most tragic day in the country’s history. These attacks have had long-term social and personal effects on Americans. Since then, the government has expanded its power to engage in massive surveillance. This unprecedented surveillance power, which allows the government to secretly collect phone calls and access the Internet activity of millions of citizens, has raised a new issue of how to balance individuals’ privacy and national security. Since shortly after 9/11, Americans have valued protection from terrorism over privacy. They believe that the government should employ necessary means to keep the nation safe. However, after a decade, some Americans have expressed concerns over government overreach on their personal privacy. They believe that their private information being gathered by the government can be shared and used widely for unstated purpose without the public knowing. Engaging in warrantless surveillance in secret based on reasons without individuals’ consent is acceptable; however, engaging in surveillance of one’s private data based on assumption will cause many innocent individuals to
Therefore, although mass surveillance improves security after the attacks of 9/11, government overreach and intrusions on privacy deprive individuals of their right to be free to live their lives and make their private information be vulnerable to abuse