Monitoring Communications

Monitoring Communications

Matthew Schwabe

The hypothetical situation this essay will analyze is based upon the privacy issues surrounding communication monitoring and its potential threat or benefit to society. Specifically if the monitoring of phone calls, emails, and text messages could stop a public shooting spree would unwarranted monitoring of communication be beneficial. Of Daniel Solve’s four privacy related activities, the stated hypothetical situation would violate the information collection group from his taxonomy of privacy. “Information collection refers to activities that gather personal information” (Quinn, 2013). Any unwarranted collection of data by the government is a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Fourth Amendment states:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized (Quinn, 2013).

This implies that citizens of the United States should be able to have privacy that shouldn’t be disrupted by the government, unless there is probably cause to do so.

The hypothetical situation referenced above brings forth a debate on public safety and public privacy. If the ability to deter public shooting sprees rested within monitoring communications, would it provide enough benefit to outweigh the violation of privacy that comes along with it. In order to better understand the scenario this essay will evaluate the cost of each possible decision. Monitoring communications such as telephone calls, text messages, and emails requires government resources and time. A team of individuals must sort through and determine which communications raise a red flag or cause some concern. From there, most likely law enforcement would follow up with...