Posted: September 1st, 2015

Privacy and the Fourth Amendment

According to the article, “Snowden also leaked documents about the involvement of Google (GOOG), Facebook (FB), and other big companies in giving the agency information about government targets.” Define Categorical Imperative. In view of chapter 2 regarding ethics, and after viewing Frontline: United States Secrets of Lies, Do you believe that Snowden acted out of a sense of a Categorical Imperative? If not, how would you categorize his actions from an ethical viewpoint? Did he break a social contract, or could he be a whistleblower warning the American public that these types of captures are occurring daily in the course of our lives? Explore each aspect raised.
According to the article, Microsoft denies providing NSA widespread access to users, “The report centers on Microsoft’s role in working with the FBI and the National Security Agency (NSA) to decipher encrypted emails and alleges that the software giant helped intelligence authorities collect video and audio conversations through Skype and Microsoft’s online chat service.” What ethical theory most closely lines up with how a corporation should be conducting themselves when it comes to protecting their customer’s privacy? Can there be gray areas where disclosure of information takes precedence over national security or does the confiscation of information go too far? Why or why not? If you had the final decision to make in the release of consumer on-line records, what ethical point of view would you take to back up your decision. Back all your statements up with citations, facts and/or reasoning.
Rachel Alexander, an attorney, is the editor of the Intellectual Conservative. She states in her article, Edward Snowden: Hero or Traitor? “I greatly fear giving the government the ability to conduct fishing expeditions that violate the Fourth Amendment.” Also, in the first Presidential Debate by the NRC on Aug 05, 2015, Rand Paul & Chris Christie battled over the issue of NSA spying and the Fourth Amendment, (See video clip). What is the Fourth Amendment? Why was it written and how does it apply to this issue today? Does the activity done by the NSA violate all American’s rights under the fourth Amendment as Rand Paul has noted, or as Ms. Alexander has stated? If so, how? If not, why? Back all your statements up with citations.
Although we know that this has been misquoted, the essence of the quote has found its way into the popular culture of thought today. So the quote by Ben Franklin now is quoted something like this, “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” For the sake of argument, as quoted by so many today, do you agree with this reasoning when it comes to knowing that your privacy, i.e., all methods of communication, no longer exists as it did in the past? Why or why not? Do we truly deserve neither liberty nor safety? Does the Patriot Act violate the Fourth Amendment? Why or why not?

Looking for the best essay writer? Click below to have a customized paper written as per your requirements.