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I think instead of trying to fight the increased levels of surveillance by both governments and corporations, we need to focus on increasing the levels of trans

I think instead of trying to fight the increased levels of surveillance by both governments and corporations, we need to focus on increasing the levels of transparency. I personally don't really care that governments and other organizations have information about me. There is always an inevitable paper (or electronic) trail associated with using the internet and various services. But I do care about the fact that the FBI can pull up information about me and I have no knowledge of it. If they collect information to combat terrorism, fine. But the 99.999 percent of innecent people being tracked have a right to be notified (and given a course of action for recourse) when they've been wrongly targeted, for whatever reason. I know, it's an idealistic dream, but it is more realistic than combating the inevitable surveillance practices that are just now coming to light.

knowaveragejoe 13y ago
Agreed with your first point, and additionally we should be voting with our money(where we can) on services that have privacy and plausible deniability built into them from the ground up. There are unfortunately few examples of this out there, Mega being the only one I can conjure up at the moment(if it even works and is as secure as they claim).
goostavos 13y ago
What would you expect an FBI informational notification to say? What would they notify you of, that your activities have warranted investigation? If anything, being notified that I'm being looked at would freak me out more than not knowing. We've entered this weird world of now needing to avoid appearances. The thing that troubles me the most about the government accessing ALL of my data is the idea of false positives -- or hell, even purposefully spinning one aspect of my data to mean whatever the hell they want it to mean. If we don't have access to the same information, how are we supposed to defend ourselves against accusations?
- jetblackio 13y ago
  Well, I'd probably expect transparency to at least come in two forms: 1. Broad annual reports containing the number of individuals were investigated, or whose 'file' was pulled, and the number of investigations that resulted in some sort of prosecution. Basically, give me the figures that show me the efficiency of the NSA investigations. This would help combat just broad pulling of records without specific cause and purpose. You could go so far as to say that after passing certain thresholds of efficiency, their actions would be audited. Note that I realize this is not ever likely to happen, but just trying to give an example of how increased transparency could be done. 2. Individual notification. This is obviously much more difficult because they wouldn't want to tip off a legitimate threat to the fact they are under investigation. But the general alternative is not acceptable either. The government can't just investigate people and invade their privacy without good reason. So some how, individuals need to know. The checks and balances of Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches is an effective mode of government, but there is a second 'check': the one by the people. If I don't know my rights are being violated, how can I hold the government responsible? So, yes, some form of individual notification is necessary. Maybe the notification happens after the investigation is finished. Maybe I'm notified a year late. But one way or another, I have a right to face my accuser. Those are my thoughts on it anyhow.

knowaveragejoe 13y ago

Agreed with your first point, and additionally we should be voting with our money(where we can) on services that have privacy and plausible deniability built into them from the ground up. There are unfortunately few examples of this out there, Mega being the only one I can conjure up at the moment(if it even works and is as secure as they claim).

goostavos 13y ago

What would you expect an FBI informational notification to say? What would they notify you of, that your activities have warranted investigation? If anything, being notified that I'm being looked at would freak me out more than not knowing. We've entered this weird world of now needing to avoid appearances. The thing that troubles me the most about the government accessing ALL of my data is the idea of false positives -- or hell, even purposefully spinning one aspect of my data to mean whatever the hell they want it to mean. If we don't have access to the same information, how are we supposed to defend ourselves against accusations?

jetblackio 13y ago
Well, I'd probably expect transparency to at least come in two forms: 1. Broad annual reports containing the number of individuals were investigated, or whose 'file' was pulled, and the number of investigations that resulted in some sort of prosecution. Basically, give me the figures that show me the efficiency of the NSA investigations. This would help combat just broad pulling of records without specific cause and purpose. You could go so far as to say that after passing certain thresholds of efficiency, their actions would be audited. Note that I realize this is not ever likely to happen, but just trying to give an example of how increased transparency could be done. 2. Individual notification. This is obviously much more difficult because they wouldn't want to tip off a legitimate threat to the fact they are under investigation. But the general alternative is not acceptable either. The government can't just investigate people and invade their privacy without good reason. So some how, individuals need to know. The checks and balances of Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches is an effective mode of government, but there is a second 'check': the one by the people. If I don't know my rights are being violated, how can I hold the government responsible? So, yes, some form of individual notification is necessary. Maybe the notification happens after the investigation is finished. Maybe I'm notified a year late. But one way or another, I have a right to face my accuser. Those are my thoughts on it anyhow.