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I don't totally understand this view. Government doesn't have a right to ephemeral conversations that happen in physical space between two people. We aren't req
by darawk 10y ago
I don't totally understand this view. Government doesn't have a right to ephemeral conversations that happen in physical space between two people. We aren't required to record them in case some law enforcement officer might request them.
Why is online discourse different? Just because the bits still exist in some sense, why does that mean they need to be accessible?
- sliverstorm 10y agoGovernment doesn't have a right to meticulous transcriptions of every verbal conversation you've ever had. But, it does have a right to do its utmost to figure out what was said. It has a right to search your file cabinet, or tap your phone, or tail you with a detective, with a warrant of course.
- EdHominem 10y agoDoes it though? A right? Like your right to freedom of thought? That's big! Would you think this if a judge hadn't ruled this way? Because in our system it's not the judge who can make that call, it's you (theoretically a citizen) who grants the government the authority to take certain (constitutionally limited) actions as long as it serves the people. If the government has a "right" to tap your phone they have the same right to plant a microphone on you, and at that, they do have a right to every verbal conversation you've had. Because they can get one from the other.