In the last several decades, technology has advanced rapidly, and personal privacy has become a major public concern. Technological advancements allow the government to keep a track of all the suspicious activity. The constantly occurring data breaches and information leaks bring to public attention that companies, government organizations, and security services have access to almost all information that is considered ‘private’. The line between personal and security matters has shifted towards violation of the constitutional right to privacy, with the government willing to intrude in all aspects of a person’s life when public safety is concerned.

Privacy Breach In Day to Day Transactions

First, personal information is often gathered without a person’s fully informed consent. When accepting user agreements, people either do not read them or have no choice but to agree to the information collection policies if they need to use the app, service, or website. People have narrow choices in limiting the company’s access to their activities. No one asks citizens’ permission to install surveillance cameras in neighbourhoods, enabling security services to collect all possible visual information about people’s movements.

Second, the current security system is vulnerable to breaches, misuse, manipulations, and violations of all kinds. While possessing all necessary means to gather personal information, government and private organizations often become victims of hackers’ and information terrorists’ attacks. The enhancement of security makes sensitive information conveniently located in one place, poorly protected, and within easy rich of bad actors.

Third, people do not trust the government and are unsure that it will protect their interests in ambiguous situations. When aiming to guard citizens’ privacy, the government often uses their data against them. It is not hard to obtain someone’s data because of the power and resources that the government security agencies have at their disposal.

Fourth, the constant collection of information by all digital means that a person has access to makes them feel insecure. Some people cover their laptops’ cameras and cars’ license plates, avoid uploading their photos and locations to social networks or do not register in them to protect themselves. Many people feel like they are constantly being watched, which sometimes leads to serious mental health problems.

End Note

Overall, it can be concluded that the government does not exercise control over citizens’ personal information effectively. People’s privacy should be of primary importance to the state, and this principle is often violated when trying to enforce national security measures. People feel that they are responsible for their privacy themselves, and the government is not an ally but rather an enemy, from which their data should be protected in the first case. The existing national security system should be reformed to focus on the people’s rights and the security of their data rather than on the government’s interests.

Written By – Saanvi Bhambri

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