Privacy is changing for citizens of the world, ever faster with technology.
I live in the USA (but you knew that).
Here are some resources that I have found interesting. They include Internet web sites, the Constitution of the United States, quotes, novels, TV documentaries, TV shows and popular music lyrics. Some excerpts are at the end of the post.
Research continues so this is version 1.1. Comment and share your favorites.
Internet web sites
- Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) eff.org
- EFF Surveillance Self-Defense
- The Guardian newspaper reports on security and tech issues theguardian.com
- The NSA Files The Guardian newspaper’s site about all things Edward Snowden, leaks and NSA.
The Constitution of the United States
Privacy and the expectation of have been interpreted in the constitution. The Constitution of the United States is available at archives.gov
- First Amendment. (freedom of speech)
- Fourth Amendment. (reasonable search, warrants)
- Fifth Amendment. (self incrimination)
- Fourteenth Amendment. (states may not deprive citizens of property without due process)
quotes
You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.
– Scott McNealy, CEO of Sun Microsystems, January 1999 (source)
You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.
– Rahm Emanuel, politician, November 2008 (source)
SEN. RON WYDEN: Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans?
JAMES CLAPPER: No, sir.
– James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, March 12, 201, (lying under oath to congress) (source)
books – fiction
Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell (1949) This classic novel imagines a future of oppressive government surveillance. It is available to read online. A four minute YouTube video by Thugs Notes.
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (2008) This is a contemporary novel with teenagers resisting government surveillance and has some good technology descriptions. It is available for free download.
TV documentaries
“United States of Secrets.” May 2014. PBS TV documentary explores how US government agencies and businesses are collecting data. Frontline TV show in two parts available with additional materials here.
- United States of Secrets part 1 120 minutes broadcast May 13, 2014
- United States of Secrets part 2 60 minutes broadcast May 20, 2014
“Inside the Mind of Edward Snowden.” May 28, 2014. NBC TV news anchor Brian Williams interviews Edward Snowden. Approximately 40 minutes. Available at nbcnews.com with some additional video
TV shows – fiction
Government surveillance themes are appearing in popular TV shows including The Good Wife and Person of Interest.
The Good Wife. “The Bit Bucket” Season 5 Episode 2 10/6/2013. “Neil Gross of internet giant Chum Hum, seeks Lockhart & Gardner’s help in fighting the NSA regarding its recently leaked PRISM surveillance program. The NSA, while actively eavesdropping on the firm’s phone calls, discovers a possible link to terrorism in a former client of theirs” (Wikipedia)
The Good Wife. “All Tapped Out.” Season 5 Episode 18. 4/20/2014. “When Florrick/Agos takes on the case of an NSA whistleblower, they learn the agency has been monitoring both the firm and Alicia’s personal life.” (Microsoft Media Center)
Person of Interest. “Deus Ex Machina (Finale)” Season 3 Episode 23. 5/13/2014. “The team work to stop Samaritan from coming online and targeting them; the battle against Vigilance reaches a conclusion.” (Microsoft Media Center)
music
Government surveillance themes in popular music.
“Integral” by Pet Shop Boys. (2007) Video at YouTube.
“Integral” by Pet Shop Boys. (2007) JCRZ – QR Code Video Remix. Video at YouTube.
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Constitution of the United States (excerpts)
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment IV
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
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
AMENDMENT XIV
(Excerpt Section 1 by markdigital.com)
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
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Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell (1949) Excerpt by markdigital.com
“… in the past no government had the power to keep its citizens under constant surveillance. The invention of print, however, made it easier to manipulate public opinion, and the film and the radio carried the process further. With the development of television, and the technical advance which made it possible to receive and transmit simultaneously on the same instrument, private life came to an end. Every citizen, or at least every citizen important enough to be worth watching, could be kept for twenty-four hours a day under the eyes of the police and in the sound of official propaganda, with all other channels of communication closed. The possibility of enforcing not only complete obedience to the will of the State, but complete uniformity of opinion on all subjects, now existed for the first time.” Part Two, Chapter 9.
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Person of Interest. “Deus Ex Machina (Finale)” Season 3 Episode 23. 5/13/2014. Screen captures.
Person of Interest TV show screen capture.
Person of Interest TV show screen capture.
Person of Interest TV show screen capture.
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“Integral” by the Pet Shop Boys. Lyrics from the Internet.
If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here
Long live us
The persuaded we
Integral
Collectively
To the whole project
It’s brand new
Conceived solely
To protect you
One world
One reason
Unchanging
One season
If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here
You’ve had your chance
Now we’ve got the mandate
If you’ve changed your mind
I’m afraid it’s too late
We’re concerned
You’re a threat
You’re not integral
To the project
Sterile
Immaculate
Rational
Perfect
Everyone has
Their own number
In the system that
We operate under
We’re moving to
A situation
Where your lives exist
As information
One world
One life
One chance
One reason
All under
One sky
Unchanging
One season
If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here
You’ve had your chance
Now we’ve got the mandate
If you’ve changed your mind
I’m afraid it’s too late
We’re concerned
You’re a threat
You’re not integral
To the project
One world
One life
One chance
One reason
All under
One sky
Unchanging
One season
If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here
You’ve had your chance
Now we’ve got the mandate
If you’ve changed your mind
I’m afraid it’s too late
We’re concerned
You’re a threat
If you’ve done nothing wrong
You’ve got nothing to fear
If you’ve something to hide
You shouldn’t even be here
We’re concerned
You’re a threat
You’re not integral
To the project
Sterile
Immaculate
Rational
Perfect