Citizen Privacy vs. National Security

Citizen Privacy vs. National Security Citizen privacy is a fundamental right, and more than 150 national Bill of rights declares that. USA constitution mentions the right to privacy in 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." By stating this, the constitution elaborates the importance of citizen privacy over national security. Reasons why citizen privacy is more important than national security, are outlined below.

Firstly, citizen privacy limits excess power in the government and private sectors; personal information is useful in making important decisions in our lives. Confidential information is employed to influence our reputation; a case affects how individuals will shape their behavior (Solove,2015). Such information proves to be very dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. Private information is often a useful tool for the government and private sectors to gain more power and dominate us.

Secondly, citizen privacy helps in reputation management; how people think of us affects our friendship, opportunities, relationship, and overall welfare. As much as we can not have complete power over our reputation, we should be able to protect our reputation from being unjustly harmed (Floridi,2016). Reputation management should not be only about cover against false information. But we are also used as a cover for some truths as we all know that privacy doesn't guarantee prejudice because people judge; based on their point of view without knowing about the other side of the story, and others are just biased.

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Thirdly, an individual can gain control over his/her life. Our data is crucial in many factors surrounding us, ranging from job, career development, and getting a license and a loan. It's also a determinant of whether an individual is allowed to travel to foreign destinations and even affects the kind of messages we receive on social media platforms (Weber,2015). An individual who doesn't know the nature of the personal information, who uses it, and how to correct or remove it from the reach of any audience is practically helpless in today's society, especially if the information exposed is denting personal image. We are the directors of our lives, and we can't do that if essential decisions are made without our acknowledgment.

Also, it gives individuals the ability to change; life is full of mistakes. Growth is gradual and takes place throughout our lives. We all deserve second chances to bounce back, learn from the mistakes, and reinvent ourselves. Privacy gives one a chance to mature without being mocked due to the mistakes they made in the past. Mistakes are life lessons, not life sentences. Not all blunders deserve remorse. Only reasonable errors to promote development.

Lastly, it gives citizens the freedom to participate in social and political activities. A significant element in the privilege of participating in social and political movements is privacy, without being coerced. At the ballot, safeguarding privacy is the number one goal, because failure to do this inhibits voters from voting as their heart wants. Due to confidentiality, discussion of many political ideas and beliefs is done without disruption.

However, national security becomes of more importance than citizen privacy when the government is concerned about some factors such as; preventing terror attacks. The world has witnessed the impacts of terror activities from 9/11 in the USA, which claimed over 2900 lives, over 25000 injuries, and damages worth $ 10 billion and more (Phelps,2015). Due to this, the government will infringe the citizen's privacy

CITIZEN PRIVACY VS NATIONAL SECURITY3 right and monitor the terror suspects for the whole nation's safety. But the state shouldn't use this as an excuse to violate the right to privacy.

Secondly, national importance becomes more important than the right to privacy of an individual, to stop propaganda against the government. Individuals may participate in forums that are divisive and a threat to national security and peace. As a result, the government may put the respective individuals under surveillance.

Lastly, the importance of national security exceeds that of citizen privacy when an individual is suspected of treason and is in cahoots with the nation's enemy, thereby posing a threat to the country (Vaidya,2015). Reaction and surveillance by the government become on suspected individuals become essential to protect the nation's sovereignty.

In conclusion, citizen privacy is more important than national security. The government exists to safeguard the rights and interests of its citizens. Unless the right of privacy of an individual affects national security and others' rights, the government has no infringing business rights of privacy of its citizens.

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References Solove, D.,(10). Reasons Why Privacy Matters. Linkedin. Retrieved July, 14, 2015. https://teachprivacy.com/10-reasons-privacy-matters/ Floridi, L. (2016). On human dignity as a foundation for the right to privacy. Philosophy & Technology, 29(4), 307-312. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13347-016-0220-8 Hirst, W., Phelps, E. A., Meksin, R., Vaidya, C. J., Johnson, M. K., Mitchell, K. J., ... & Mather, M. (2015). A ten-year follow-up of a study of memory for the attack of September 11, 2001: Flashbulb memories and memories for flashbulb events. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 144(3), 604 https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2015-09755-001 Weber, R. H. (2015). Internet of things: Privacy issues revisited. Computer Law & Security Review, 31(5), 618-627. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0267364915001156