Reference no: EM131864698

Respond to the following: Answer each discussion(X2) with a minimum of 325 words each or more with at least 2 references. Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis. Thank You

Discussion 1

Many civil liberties organizations claim that the USA PATRIOT Act has unnecessarily broadened the government's power and is overstepping Americans' constitutional rights, particularly in the area of individuals' Fourth Amendment privacy rights.

Opponents of the Act also claim that the increased surveillance provisions violate individual rights without significantly reducing the threat of terrorism in America.

Arresting and prosecuting these sorts of activities under the guise of "terrorism" affords the government many investigative and prosecutorial advantages, while it also stifles political dissent to protect private economic gain at the expense of the environment

1. Choose a particular title or section within the USA PATRIOT Act that you think is most controversial. Discuss the issue as you see it, and explain your viewpoint within the context of balancing national security and the privacy rights of individuals.

Discussion 2

The FBI claims that a unique challenge to the public safety and national security is hampering their ability to obtain electronic information and evidence pursuant to a court order or warrant. The FBI refers to this challenge as "going dark." There now exists a new scale of mainstream products and services designed in a way that gives users sole control over access to their data.

For instance, many communications services now encrypt certain communications by default, with the key necessary to decrypt the communications solely in the hands of the end user. Consequently, law enforcement is sometimes unable to recover the content of electronic communications from the technology provider even in response to a court order or duly authorized warrant.

Concomitantly, if a communications provider is served with a warrant seeking those communications, the provider claims that they cannot provide the data because it has designed the technology such that it cannot be accessed by a third party.

Arresting and prosecuting these sorts of activities under the guise of "terrorism" affords the government many investigative and prosecutorial advantages, while it also stifles political dissent to protect private economic gain at the expense of the environment.

2. Research the "going dark" issue posed by the FBI. Present a persuasive argument, either for or against, requiring communications providers to assist the government in their counterterrorism and intelligence gathering efforts by redesigning their technology so that it can be accessed by law enforcement with a court order.