Harrison. J and Ian. H
Topicality: With advancements in surveillance technologies, drones have become a popular surveillance tool used by the FBI. Drones are small aerial vehicles that are unmanned and can carry cameras, microphones and tracking devices. They can even carry chips that mimic cellphone towers and collect data from your cell phone. These drones have no regulations, so you never know when or where the FBI could be watching you. The new White House memo requires government agencies to develop clear rules to protect americans privacy.
The affirmative case meets a reasonable definition of the resolution.
1.Definition:
1.Substantially: “of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc.:”
"substantially." Dictionary.com Unabridged.
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Random House, Inc. 14 Sep. 2015. . 2.Curtail: “to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish. "curtail." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 14 Sep. 2015. . 3.Domestic: “Of or relating to the running of a home or to family relations "domestic." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 11 Sep. 2015. . 4.Surveillance: “a watch kept over a person, group, etc., especially over a suspect, prisoner, or the like:” "surveillance." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 14 Sep. 2015. . B.Topical Analysis: The FBI should not be allowed to survey U.S. soil anymore. All that has to be done is the The House/Senate Intelligence Committees, The House/Senate Appropriations Committees, The House Government Reform Committee, and The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee need to make sure the FBI doesn't use drones again after. Observation 1. Inherency: A. Subpoint 1: Domestic Drone Surveillance is growing in the U.S. Without regulations on the FBI’s domestic drone surveillance, it will continue to grow and spread out of control. Citation: Greenwald, Glenn. "Domestic Drones and Their Unique Dangers."The Guardian. © 2015 Guardian News and Media Limited or Its Affiliated Companies. All Rights Reserved., 29 Mar. 2013. Web. 1 Oct. 2015. Evidence: The use of drones by domestic US law enforcement agencies is growing rapidly, both in terms of numbers and types of usage. As a result, civil liberties and privacy groups led by the ACLU - while accepting that domestic drones are inevitable - have been devoting increasing efforts to publicizing their unique dangers and agitating for statutory limits. This important because it is a warning sign that we need to curtail the FBI’s domestic drone surveillance. B. Subpoint 2: The FBI has been using Drones in the U.S. The FBI has been using drones on U.S. soil and stated that, “...they operate more quietly and are less visible…” Citation: "FBI Uses Drones for Surveillance in U.S. - CNN Politics.com." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. Evidence: FBI Director Robert Mueller acknowledged the law enforcement agency uses drone aircraft in the United States for surveillance in certain difficult cases. Mueller told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that drones are used by the FBI in a "very, very minimal way and very seldom." He did not say how many unmanned surveillance vehicles (UAVs) the FBI has or how often they have been used. But a law enforcement official told CNN the FBI has used them a little more than a dozen times but did not say when that started. The official said drones are useful in hostage and barricade situations because they operate more quietly and are less visible than traditional aircraft such as helicopters. The FBI said it used a UAV earlier this year to monitor the situation where a boy was held hostage in a bunker in Alabama. The quote is important because the FBI has the ability to monitor U.S.
citizens at any given point in time. This makes it superabundantly crucial to the point that they have the power to “monitor” anything they want, wherever and whenever they want without any permission. This is because there are not yet any restrictions on what they can or cannot “monitor”.
C. Subpoint 3: The technology in drones is advancing.
The new technologies the FBI is able to implement into drones can completely negate someone's privacy.
Citation: "Domestic Drones." American Civil Liberties Union. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2015.
Evidence: Drones have many beneficial uses, including in search-and-rescue missions, scientific research, mapping, and more. But deployed without proper regulation, drones equipped with facial recognition software, infrared technology, and speakers capable of monitoring personal conversations would cause unprecedented invasions of our privacy rights. Interconnected drones could enable mass tracking of vehicles and people in wide areas. Tiny drones could go completely unnoticed while peering into the window of a home or place of worship.
The quote is essential because the FBI’s drones are capable of peering in on your daily life without you noticing. This is both eerie and worrying, because this negates a person’s privacy. As long as there are not regulations they cannot be
stopped. Observation 2. Harms-Drones are negating americans privacy Subpoint 1: Drones raise privacy issues. Drones have highly advanced technology that can monitor everything you do. Citation: "Surveillance Drones." Electronic Frontier Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. Evidence: Surveillance drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) raise significant issues for privacy and civil liberties. Drones are capable highly advanced surveillance, and drones already in use by law enforcement can carry various types of equipment including live-feed video cameras, infrared cameras, heat sensors, and radar. Some military versions can stay in air the hours for hours or days at a time, and their high-tech cameras can scan entire cities, or alternatively, zoom in and read a milk carton from 60,000 feet. They can also carry wifi crackers and fake cell phone towers that can determine your location or intercept your texts and phone calls. Drone manufacturers even admit they are made to carry “less lethal” weapons such as tasers or rubber bullets. With all the advanced technologies in drones the FBI is able to see everything you are doing. B. Subpoint 2: The FBI is using drones without approval If the FBI continues to use drones like this everything will spiral out of control Citation: Press, Associated. "FBI behind Mysterious Surveillance Aircraft over US Cities." N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2015. Evidence: The FBI is operating a small air force with scores of low-flying planes across the country carrying video and, at times, cellphone surveillance technology — all hidden behind fictitious companies that are fronts for the government, The Associated Press has learned. The planes’ surveillance equipment is generally used without a judge’s approval… The FBI used drones without a judge's approval, and their drones should taken away just for that. C. Subpoint 3: Drones will bring widespread surveillance. Because drones are so much cheaper government agencies will be able to survey many people. Citation: "Drones and Aerial Surveillance: Considerations for Legislators." The Brookings Institution. N.p., 13 Nov. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. Evidence: Privacy advocates contend that with drones, the government will be able to engage in widespread pervasive surveillance because drones are cheaper to operate than their manned counterparts. If widespread drones surveillance occurs the American people’s privacy will be gone. Plan. Agency: FBI 2. Mandates: FBI needs to curtail domestic drone surveillance 3. Funding: No funding is required 4. Enforcement: Enforcement through normal means. 5. Date of implementation: immediate 6. Legislative Intent: All speeches shall serve to clarify legislative intent. Observation 3. Solvency: Subpoint 1: The White House Memo Protects Privacy. The FBI must develop clear rules to protect americans privacy. Citation: "Surveillance, Privacy Concerns Raised as FAA Gives Domestic Drones a Nod." Common Dreams. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. Evidence: Drones have the potential for significant societal, scientific, and economic benefits, but also pose new and intrusive privacy problems," CDT senior counsel Harley Geiger said in a press statement. "The White House’s memo requires government agencies to enhance transparency and develop clear rules to protect the privacy of Americans. This is an important and welcome step in advancing drone technology, while protecting civil liberties. The new White House memo requires government agencies to protect americans privacy. This applies to the FBI because it negates their domestic drone surveillance. B. Subpoint 2: Florida state bill stops drones. Gov. Rick Scott said, “Privacy should be protected” Citation: Clark, Maggie. "Laws Limiting Drones Gaining Steam." Laws Limiting Drones Gaining Steam. Governing the States and Localities, 19 Apr. 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. Evidence: “Privacy should be protected,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, said after the Florida House approved that state’s bill. The warrant requirement in the measure does not apply to imminent terrorist threats, missing-person searches or the pursuit of fleeing criminal suspects. “This law will ensure the rights of Florida families are protected from the unwarranted use of drones and other unmanned aircraft. I look forward to signing it.”Lawmakers are responding to the proliferation of drones in domestic policing. Nine law enforcement agencies in six states already use drones, and another nine have applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to do the same, as Stateline has previously reported. Police in Miami-Dade County have a Honeywell T-Hawk drone, which is about the size of a small office trash can and runs on a fan about as loud as a leaf-blower. The Federal Aviation Administration has given Miami-Dade police permission to use the drone to survey crime scenes. This law is protect Florida from unwarranted drone surveillance this bill could be developed into a federal law to stop the FBI.
Zetter, Kim. "World’s Top Surveillance Societies — Updated with Link." Editorial. Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, 31 Dec. 2007. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.
The feeling that someone is always watching, develops the inevitable, uncomfortable feeling that is displeasing to the mind. For years, the National Security Agency (NSA) has been monitoring people for what they call, “the greater good of the people” (Cole, February 2014). A program designed to protect the nation while it protects the walls within as it singles people out, sometimes by accident. Whether you are a normal citizen or a possible terrorist, the NSA can monitor you in a variation of ways. The privacy of technology has sparked debates across the world as to if the NSA is violating personal rights to privacy by collecting personal data such as, phone calls and text messages without reason or authorization (Wicker, 2011). Technology plays a key role in society’s day to day life. In life, humans expect privacy, even with their technology. In recent news, Edward Snowden leaked huge pieces from the NSA to the public, igniting these new controversies. Now, reforms are being pressed against the government’s throat as citizens fight for their rights. However, American citizens are slammed with the counterargument of the innocent forte the NSA tries to pass off in claims of good doing, such as how the NSA prevents terrorism. In fear of privacy violations, limitations should be put on the NSA to better protect the privacy of our honest citizens.
Whether the U.S. government should strongly keep monitoring U.S. citizens or not still is a long and fierce dispute. Recently, the debate became more brutal when technology, an indispensable tool for modern live, has been used by the law enforcement and national security officials to spy into American people’s domestic.
Current advancements in technology has given the government more tools for surveillance and thus leads to growing concerns for privacy. The two main categories of surveillance technologies are the ones that allow the government to gather information where previously unavailable or harder to obtain, and the ones that allow the government to process public information more quickly and efficiently (Simmons, 2007). The first category includes technologies like eavesdropping devices and hidden cameras. These are clear offenders of privacy because they are capable of gathering information while being largely unnoticed. The second category would include technologies that are used in a public space, like cameras in a public park. While these devices
The role of the Federal Government is to provide a safe environment for its citizens by any means necessary, continue the integrity of the culture by abiding by the constitution, and generate a continuous flow of revenue to maintain a fully functional society. In today’s society, surveillance is easy to accomplish due to the technologies available to the citizens, such as camera phones, cameras on laptops, the internet, land line phones or even swiping your bank card. All of these forms of technology are used for personal benefit, however, are the means in which the government uses to monitor its citizens. The National Security Agency (NSA) is the main producer of domestic surveillance and is the largest U.S. intelligence organization that appears under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense. The NSA is responsible for not only domestic but global monitoring, collection, decoding, translation and analyzing information and data that may target the United States soil.
People are exposed severally on the government gallery, and they are little things they can always do to protect them from such. Unregulated surveillance could in a greater manner strip individuals of their privacy rights, and by addition, restrict coming together of people, organizations and in such a comprehensive way that could vindicate us back to the most grievous errors in history swinging back to the present day (Boghosian 89). People, non-governmental institutions are living under such oppressive realms but cannot clearly articulate their concerns and issues that affect the society for fear of state cameras (Song
Most people concerned about the privacy implications of government surveillance aren’t arguing for no[sic] surveillance and absolute privacy. They’d be fine giving up some privacy as long as appropriate controls, limitations, oversight and accountability mechanisms were in place. ”(“5 Myths about Privacy”). The fight for privacy rights is by no means a recent conflict.
The use of drones as weapons of war and delivery and surveillance systems should not be dismissed because many people do not realize the real capabilities of drones and how they can be used to better the world through efficient air strikes, faster delivery times, and useful surveillance. Some of the most common misconceptions about drones arise due to the lack of knowledge about what drones are. A drone is a remote controlled, pilotless aircraft that can be used to survey an area, conduct stealth missions, and deliver supplies into difficult to reach areas (Drone). Unmanned aircraft are also, contrary to popular belief, not solely machines that kill without even a thought to who is being fired upon. They have proved to be effective surveillance units in areas that may be dangerous for manned aircraft to fly, along with the potential to be reliable delivery units (Drones).
Most of the American citizens and residences are prone to security threats regardless of their location in the world. In this case, the authorities justify the utilization of the surveillance content to enhance the security of its citizens within the United States borders as well as in different parts of the world. Despite the importance of surveillance to the national security, some individuals view the initiative as a reflection of moral decay among the lawmakers (Norvell, 2008). Obtaining personal data from the citizens without their authority is an indication of the inability of the authorities to uphold the guidelines of the rights of the
Another name for drones are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVS). These are “aircraft either controlled by ‘pilots’ from the ground or increasingly, autonomously following a pre-programmed mission” (Cole 4). Even though there are many unique types of drones, but they usually fall under two main categories: ones that are armed and equipped with missiles and bombs and others that are used for surveillance. In the past couple of years the use of drones has increased dramatically. The reason being because “unlike manned aircraft they can stay aloft for many hours and are flown remotely so there is no danger to the flight crew” (Cole 13). There are drones that can actually fly over more than fifty hours. In countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, the Predator and U.S Reaper are physically there. Cause of the power of technology th...
Privacy is not just a fundamental right, it is also important to maintain a truly democratic society where all citizens are able to exist with relative comfort. Therefore, “[Monitoring citizens without their knowledge] is a major threat to democracies all around the world.” (William Binney.) This is a logical opinion because without freedom of expression and privacy, every dictatorship in history has implemented some form of surveillance upon its citizens as a method of control.
In the United States, people worried that drones would be used near their home because they equip with a camera and that make people feel restless or uncomfortable when a drone nearby. A lot of people don’t realize that drones flying around neighbor are not much,
Opinion Editorial-Electronic Government Surveillance In this world where anyone could be under surveillance at any given moment, personal privacy and the security of information have become one of the greatest and most controversial issues at hand. The burden of having a digital footprint that is fully accessible by the government is a concern for many, and there have been countless debates over whether it is constitutional or not for the government to conduct such intrusive electronic surveillance. The U.S. government argues that multiple segments of the Constitution give them the authority to conduct mass electronic surveillance over the American population, which is true, but only to a certain extent.
In Washington, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged with regulating all interstate technological communications. The FCC makes the laws but does not enforce them. Enforcement is the job of the Executive Branch, currently handled by the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA has the power to track the internet, but ""the law says they always need probable cause"" (Dewey) to do so. Probable cause is defined as “sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been committed or that certain property is connected with a crime†(Law Dictionary.)
Drones are an emerging technology that has countless benefits and a myriad of intangible side-effects. I will clearly explain how drones effect on our lives by exploring the Social, Cultural, Political and Environmental impacts drone technology presents in our lives today.