They’re spying on all of us!
Actually, I’m not talking about the NSA. I’m talking about companies to which you willing give up your rights.
How many times have you agreed to a Loyalty card? Did you read the fine print? Sure, you can get special discounts by signing up for these cards, but why? What’s the company getting for these special discounts? Of course, there is “customer loyalty”; but they collect much, much more. They know all of your shopping habits. And the part that is hidden within that fine print that nobody ever reads before they sign? The company has the right to SELL all of your shopping information to anyone they want.
How many times have you downloaded software or an app? When they ask for you to click the box that you have read and agree to their Terms and Services, do you actually read it or do you just click the box saying you did and click “Next” to get the download? The same goes for signing up for email services. You GAVE them permission to track it.
When your tablet or SmartPhone recommends something near you, have you ever wondered how they knew where you are? It’s because YOU gave them permission to track your every movement - and YOU gave them permission to sell or give that to anyone THEY choose.
So, when a government agency has a subpoena for that info, remember, YOU gave them the right.
Now, a word about databases. There a lot of different kinds - including “flat files” that require a corresponding index file to make them work like a database even though they really aren’t a “true” database. The one thing that is true about all databases is that they contain a LOT of info - too much for a single human being to go through - even if they had access to the “raw data” which can be limited. To make up for this, databases use “queries” or “searches” to narrow down the results to something that a human being can actually read. These searches can also be limited, but often it takes a Human to review them and make the decision whether or not to “allow” the search.
Based on the many documents “leaked” by Snowden, this is how the NSA works, and there are strict rules and checks and balances in place over whether or not the “suspect” is an American citizen.
However, if the “target” is NOT a US citizen, then they are considered fair game. Is this legal? Yes, absolutely. Is it moral? Well, that’s the real question, isn’t it?
I believe that tracking the actions of someone who wants to do innocents harm is honorable. But, tracking someone like Merkel’s phone just to give us an advantage in negotiations is morally wrong - even if it is legally correct.
Change the LAWS!
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