The Role Of Privacy Dead In The Internet Era

Is Privacy Dead in the Internet Era?

There was a time when privacy was considered as the birth right of everyone. People could easily keep their secrets hidden without having to worry about someone finding it out as no one had enough access into the lives of others. Things are not the same anymore due to internet, it is without a doubt that in many ways internet has made our lives easier and it has made information more accessible to us at any time but there are many dangers associated with the usage of internet. Privacy is dead in the internet era as every user of internet enjoys perfect anonymity on the internet so a person’s conscience is more or less dead. Furthermore, the government can invade our privacy in the name of public interest

Unfortunately, this can never happen as our government is also an accomplice of web companies invading our privacy so there is absolutely nothing we can do to browse safely. “Government agencies are also collecting that data from companies whether or not they have search warrants” (Risen 2). In 2013 a contractor of National Security Agency (NSA), Edward Snowden, blew whistle on the NSAs surveillance operations on people’s private lives. With growing security concerns of a nation, the government has got an excuse of national security to invade the privacy of its people. They think that giving excessive privacy to people can endanger the national security. What makes this situation even worse is that the public thinks that they are helpless against this invasion of privacy. We can voice our opinions and let the government know that we will not let them take our right to privacy for granted, this way we can end this feeling of being powerless about the data collected on our daily lives. “Enjoying true privacy is difficult in today’s digital age, but it won’t get easier if people give up on their right to a few personal secrets” (Risen 2). It is about time that we start considering invasion of privacy same as theft of property. Our privacy is our property, nor the government and neither the web companies have the right to invade it and go unaccountable for this

This is a really small sacrifice everyone has to make for the betterment of our nation. William Hague says, “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear” (Quoted Preston 2). The only reason government invades our privacy is to provide security to us and to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. Anyone who excessively cares about his privacy being invaded by the government must have something to hide. With deteriorating security conditions around the world, it is becoming important for the government to keep a close eye on its citizens. In today’s age, where internet has made communication around the world easier, anyone can get influenced by someone or something on the web. It is known by everyone that terrorist organizations are using the internet to get new recruits, publish extremist messages and post horrendous videos. In times like these it is the duty of our government to protect their citizen from such content and influence. Someone getting influenced by such stuff can proves disastrous for a country and such situations can easily be controlled beforehand if our government is aware of the type of content someone is getting exposed to on the web. Invading our privacy is not the only way to prevent these groups from