How the NSA Built Its Own Secret Google, Essay Example

One of the most popular news items today is the ethicality of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) ability to spy on both foreign and local citizens. The authors of the article The Surveillance Engine: How the NSA Built its Own Secret Google discuss that the government has created a Google-like search engine that allows them to effectively scan more than 850 billion records that include phone calls, e-mails, and other recorded forms of communication. Therefore, the agency is able to specifically target citizens and non-citizens within the country that are engaging in illegal action.

The system that the NSA has created is known as ICREACH, and it has stirred up much controversy because it has records of many individuals that have no reason to be suspected of any wrongdoing. Since the United States generally assumes all suspects to be innocent until proven guilty, the pure acquisition of this information prior to an investigation makes it seem that the basic rights that all citizens expect to have are being violated. It is therefore difficult for the public to determine where the line will be drawn because ICREACH can be used to incriminate innocent people.

Until recently, the public was not aware of the government’s ICREACH program. However, the acts that Edward Snowden had committed that have been considered to be treason allowed light to be shed on the actions of the NSA. The information that he provided to the public included knowledge that the governmental organization had been collecting large volumes of communications, which would likely be used for this purpose. While it was generally assumed that the NSA gathered some intelligence, such as evidence and reports from the FBI, the extent of these communications were not revealed until Snowden reported this information to the world.

The greatest shock to the public is that the ICREACH system may be used for local law enforcement, which would further decrease the rights of the individuals whose information is contained within the system. It is possible that ICREACH will have useful applications, but until the government can agree on how the system can be used properly, it will be widely spoken against. Thus, while this is a technologically advanced law enforcement system, it has the potential for violating basic human rights, and this should be considered before using the system for local law enforcement purposes.