A lot of Americans shared their sentiments and concerns when news came out that the NSA or National Security Agency has been gathering data via social media platforms and Verizon telephone records.
Twitter and other social media websites were used by individuals to share their frustration and opposing opinions regarding their freedom of speech and privacy. Andy Carvin, senior strategist at NPR, initiated an experiment via the hashtag #CallsTheNSAKnowsAbout, requiring his online followers to reply.
Many people feared that personal information may have been collected by the NSA after US surveillance programs were approved to expand and enhance. The main idea behind the programs is to prevent possible terrorist activities and attacks on the United States following the tragic September 11, 2001 incidents.
The FISA court?s power was increased, allowing it to issue secret orders to authorize the NSA to order phone companies to provide information regarding its clients. The NSA was provided with blanket authority to acquire telephone and business data from clients.
President Barack Obama and head of Intelligence have commented on the issue, saying that American citizens should help strike a balance between protection and privacy. They should not expect 100% protection unless then provide some leeway in terms of convenience and confidentiality.
Obama further reassured US citizens that they have nothing to worry about since nobody is listening to their calls. Only the phone number and duration of the call are given notice. Unless the person is contacting a terrorist group or is possibly transacting with illegal parties oversees, the government will maintain privacy of communications.
The hashtag #CallsTheNSAKnowsAbout has been trending well and garnered mixed responses from social media users. Some of the tweets were simply funny and witty while others had a more serious tone.
User @MaiE_89 tweeted, ?But the implication of FISA is that even the right to privacy and largely, the right to be human, is not inherent #CallsTheNSAKnowsAbout.?
Here?s what the others said.
User @MaiE_89 tweeted, ?But the implication of FISA is that even the right to privacy and largely, the right to be human, is not inherent #CallsTheNSAKnowsAbout.?
Here?s what the others said.
