Is the Telephone Company Violating Your Privacy?

1. Yes, I think that the increased surveillance power and capability of the U.S. government presents an ethical dilemma. There is a question of this behavior being right or wrong for the U.S. government and U.S. citizens. The government wants the best information available to fight the war on terror, while citizens want to have safety along with privacy. The government can explain how this increased power benefits citizens, but citizens can argue that it intrudes on their privacy. A question of this being right or wrong is created because the ethical principles are in conflict with each other.

2. The ethical issue is if the U.S. government is right in obtaining data from all citizens to fight the war on terror. The U.S. government can argue how doing so will provide a great benefit for the war on terror. If they citizens want safety from future terrorist attacks, they must give up some of their privacy. U.S. citizens can argue that privacy and freedoms must always be provided regardless of the situation. It's not right to have the U.S. government analyzing private calls of U.S. citizens. So, a great ethical dispute is created from the government's use of telecommunications data to fight terrorism.

5. I feel like there is a more effective solution to this ethical dilemma. I believe that the Fourth Amendment is extremely important to uphold regardless of the situation. This country needs to continue to honor its citizens rights and privacy, but it also has the responsibility to protect its citizens. I think that stricter rules need to be set by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the NSA wiretapping program. There needs to be boundaries established and more visibility of the program.