Mass surveillance of the United States

    Mass surveillance, the process of collecting, analysing, and monitoring electronic communication and personal data on a large scale, has been increasingly used by GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft). The following essay will explore the benefits, risks, and impacts of GAFAM's mass surveillance on society.   Benefits: Increased security is a key benefit of GAFAM's mass surveillance. Through surveillance technologies, they can track and identify potential threats to national security, such as terrorism or cybercrime. Additionally, they can help prevent financial fraud by monitoring transactions and identifying suspicious activity. This increased security is essential in today's interconnected world, where cyber-attacks and other forms of digital crime are becoming more prevalent.   Another potential benefit of GAFAM's mass surveillance is personalization. By collecting data on individuals' browsing habits and online activities, GAFAM c...

  Edward Snowden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), leaked classified information about the extent of US government surveillance programs in 2013. The revelations were shocking and far-reaching, revealing that the US government was monitoring the communications of not only its own citizens but also foreign governments and citizens. Snowden's leak sparked a global debate about the balance between national security and individual privacy rights.   The leaked documents revealed that the US government was collecting vast amounts of data through various programs, including PRISM and Upstream, which allowed the NSA to access emails, chats, and other communications from companies such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. The information collected was then stored in massive data centres, where it could be accessed and analysed by government analysts.   The leak also revealed that the US government was engaged in extensive surveillance of foreign g...

  "Snowden" is a compelling biographical drama that delves into the complex story of Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who became a controversial whistleblower after revealing classified information about the U.S. government's mass surveillance programs. Directed by Oliver Stone and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the titular role, the movie offers a well-crafted blend of suspense, politics, and personal drama that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.   The film does an excellent job of portraying Snowden's journey from a patriotic young man who joins the army after 9/11 to a disillusioned and conflicted insider who decides to expose the government's secrets to the public. Gordon-Levitt delivers a convincing performance as Snowden, capturing his intelligence, idealism, and inner turmoil with nuance and restraint. The supporting cast also shines, with standout performances by Shailene Woodley as Snowden's girlfriend, Melissa Leo as the filmmak...

  The article on globalissues.org “Surveillance State: NSA Spying and more”, discusses the issue of mass surveillance in the United States, particularly by the National Security Agency (NSA). The article argues that the US has become a surveillance state, where citizens' privacy and civil liberties are routinely violated in the name of national security. The author notes that the extent of the NSA's surveillance program was not known by the US Congress until the information was leaked by Edward Snowden in 2013. The program involved the collection of phone metadata from millions of Americans, as well as the surveillance of internet activity and email correspondence. The article highlights the dangers of mass surveillance, including the potential for abuse of power, the erosion of privacy and civil liberties, and the chilling effect it can have on free speech and dissent. It argues that the government's justification for mass surveillance - preventing terrorist attacks - ...

  In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States government has ramped up its surveillance of its citizens in the name of national security. However, this has sparked a heated debate about the ethics of the government spying on its citizens. In this blog post, we will explore the different perspectives on this issue and evaluate the pros and cons of US spying on its citizens.   §   The Pros of US Spying on its Citizens   The US government argues that spying on its citizens is necessary to prevent terrorist attacks and keep the country safe. Here are some of the pros of US spying on its citizens:   1.       Preventing terrorist attacks: By monitoring communications between potential terrorists, the government can prevent attacks before they happen.   2.       National security: The government can identify threats to national security and take action to neutralize them. ...