Deanna C.

Pettway
September 29, 2014
Professor Harrington
Contemporary American History
The NSA is Here to Help
Imagine there is a person constantly following you wherever you go, watching what you
do in and outside of home and it is completely legal. Obviously, you would feel as though your
privacy is being invaded and be greatly opposed to this scrutiny. Imagine this person who is
following you around is guarding you, keeping you safe from harm, and has no intention of
sharing out your information. Would you still feel opposed to this surveillance and as though
your privacy is being invaded? Privacy can mean something different to a variety of people.
According to Parents Privacy, Morality, and the Law, the definition of privacy that is consistent
throughout each individuals interpretation is the condition of not having undocumented
personal knowledge about one possessed by others (2). In other words, it is information or facts
that a person does not want others to know about them, often times with an exception of family,
close friends, and professional associates. In contemporary America, people consider things such
as their sexual preferences, salary, drinking or drug habits, health, and the state of their
relationship as personal information. Privacy is a concept that is very important to Americans
seeing as though we greatly value our freedom and rights. As result, many U.S. citizens became
apprehensive when they discovered what the NSA was doing. The National Security Agency
(NSA) is a U.S. intelligence agency. The NSA is responsible for monitoring, collection, and
analysis of information and data. The NSA keeps a record of most calls made in the U.S., emails,
Facebook posts and instant messages, raw Internet traffic or internet activity, and other forms of
information. This data is collected through the global monitoring of activity of individuals. Many

Americans believed that if they had nothing to hide, there was nothing to worry about but
became opposed to the action of the NSAclaiming that it goes against the Bill of Rights
when they found that the NSA tracks everyones activity whether or not they are innocent or
suspicious. Many Americans believe that the spying done by the NSA is an invasion of
privacy and is not consented. As people get older, in most cases, they begin to value their privacy
more for many reasons. However, people should not oppose the NSA because people often post
their private information on the internet anyways, the actions of the NSA are legal and do not
share out information that does not pose a threat to anyone, and the NSA protects all U.S.
citizens.
It has become apparent that people share their personal information on social media more
often. In more recent times, social media has become a place where people share personal
information, painful events, sexual preferences, and so much more. Social media websites have
become a place for people to vent about personal life issues and successes. This could largely be
seen in the teen population. Most teens share their real name, birthday, personal interests, a photo
of themselves, their email and cell phones number along with other information that is typically
considered private. This information could lead to multiple potential threats towards these
teenagers. However, this is not limited to just teenagers, a study done by Intel showed that 90%
of Americans as a whole believe that people share too much information on social media. 4.8
million broadcast when they're leaving the house, 4.7 million about health conditions, 4.6 million
about their love lives and 2.6 million about alcohol use, according to that study (Obeidallah). If
it is so easy to share out information on the internet, open for many to see and use against you,
then there shouldnt be a problem with the NSA using similar type of information to protect us
rather than embarrass or harm us. People who oppose the NSA must consider that if they do not

want people to know their information then they should first be careful of what they share online
and through their cell phones
People who claim to be more private would disagree that they share their information on
social media and that may be true. These people who consider themselves private feel as though
the NSA is intruding their privacy which goes against their rights. The Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Court decides what it is legal for the NSA to do. Most people are unaware that
surveillance by the NSA is completely legal due to The Patriot Act and the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was introduced by
Senator Ted Kennedy and signed into law by President Carter in 1978. It authorizes electronic
surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes (The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act). When
The Patriot Act was passed, people believed that it was justifiable because they were concerned
about terrorism. Americans were under the impression that if they werent doing anything wrong
they werent being observed but once they have found that someone can look at a persons
records even if they are innocent, people suddenly opposed the NSA. In many rallies, people
argued against the NSAs spying, claiming that it is unlawful when it is in fact the complete
opposite. People are complete unaware of the laws and acts that justify the actions of the NSA.
Therefore, they are blindly protesting against the NSA. The Patriot Act was passed following the
9/11 terrorist attack in 2001 and was signed by George W. Bush. The Patriot Act allows
investigators to use the tools that were already available to investigate organized crime and drug
trafficking (Highlights of the USA PATRIOT Act). Since most people are oblivious to the fact
that not only are the actions done by the NSA justifiable by law but also they are justifiable
because the main mission of the NSA is to protect U.S. citizens.

Yet people still argue that the NSA participates in a flagrant invasion of Americans
privacy which has now become an illusion. On October 26, 2012 thousands of people gathered
by the Capitol reflection pool in Washington in a Stop Watching Us rally against the mass
surveillance of the NSA (Newell). The protestors claimed that the surveillance done by the NSA
is a violation of rights. These protests were backed by the words of Edward Snowden, an
American computer professional who leaked classified information from the National Security
Agency, stated "This isn't about red or blue party lines, and it definitely isn't about terrorism, it's
about being able to live in a free and open society" (Newell). The information collected by the
NSA is not spread and is used to protect Americans so they have no reason to feel restricted or
intruded upon. The people who work for NSA remain confidential and you most likely dont
know them personally so there is no reason to feel embarrassed or as though your privacy has
been invaded. There are many restrictions that the NSA must adhere to such as the NSA is
only allowed to intercept communications if at least one end of the conversation is outside of the
U.S. and the NSA must withhold the names of U.S. persons who are not relevant to ongoing
investigations when they distribute information -- unless that persons communications contain
evidence of a crime or are relevant to a range of national security and foreign intelligence
concerns (Stray). If you like to watch pornography in your free time or if your 40 years old and
play online video games, it is completely legal and will not be used against you. They do not
plan on sharing out your personal information and activities and they are not seen as a threat
towards the U.S. If you have nothing to hide, you are a law abiding citizen, you shouldnt feel
uncomfortable. The main goal of the NSA is to find information that may pose future threats to
the U.S. and its citizens.

Most people who oppose the NSA may not be fully aware of the intent of the NSA and
how large of a role it plays in their safety. These people should also be aware that people often
post their private information on the internet anyways, possibly in the hands of people who can
use this information in harmful ways. They should also be aware that the actions of the NSA it is
legal through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the Patriot Act. The NSA also
protects all U.S. citizens from future threats from terrorists and other potential threats. In doing
so, the NSA influences people to behave knowing that they are being watched. If people know
that their activity is being monitored they are less likely to commit a crime that may potentially
harm themselves or others due to the fear of being caught. It is almost as though a police officer
is standing around patrolling an area. A person will be discouraged to commit a crime in the
presence of an authority. People should be informed of the true motives and legalities behind the
NSA so that they can feel comfortable and safe. Through monitoring activity the NSA can catch
threats or the planning of harmful activity and be able to stop it in the act, before it happens, or
before it can happen again.

Works Cited
"The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)" Web. The United States Department of
Justice. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
Newell, Jim. "Thousands Gather in Washington for Anti-NSA 'Stop Watching Us' Rally:
Statement from Whistleblower Edward Snowden Read to Crowd Featuring Groups from
Left and Right of Political Spectrum." The Gaurdian. N.p., 26 Oct. 2013. Web.
Obeidallah, Dean. "Are We Sharing Too Much Online?" CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan.
1970. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
Parent, W. A. Privacy, Morality, and the Law. 4th ed. Vol. 12.: Wiley, 1983. Print. Philosophy &
Public Affairs.
Stray, Johnathan. "FAQ: What You Need to Know About the NSAs Surveillance Programs." Top
Stories RSS. Pro Publica, 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.
"What Is the USA Patriot" Web. The United States Department of Justice. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.