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Government surveillance is a major issue in the United States and globally. Surveillance refers to any collection and processing of personal data, whether, identifiable or not, for purposes of influencing or managing those whose data have been garnered (Dinev, Hart, & Mullen, 2008). Most people use Google, Facebook, and Microsoft which can all be affected by government surveillance.

Users must be concerned about whether their child's picture is being looked at by the government. Crimes can also be solved by government surveillance. For example, child abductions and terrorist attacks. Edward Snowden revealed that FBI and National Security Agency surveillance programs rely heavily on data from the United States email providers, video chat services, and social networking companies (is it legal?: Government surveillance, 2014).

Government agencies has used laws to get the data and personal information of people that they are trying to track. According to Dinev, Hart, & Mullen (2008), "The Total Information Awareness Program, the Patriot Act of 2001, and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 give federal agencies greater authority to monitor individuals." Due to the advancements in government surveillance, privacy needs to be a top priority to a user. The government can watch cyber criminals who perform intrusions.

For example, network break-ins, ransomware attacks, distributed denial of service attacks, and online scams.

Because of these attacks, the government wants to prevent these types of attacks and protect the American citizens. In addition, these attacks can be damaging to local, state, and federal agencies and companies. Cost, reputation, and fame are some reasons why cyber criminals inflict their online attacks. According to Harwood (2016), "Privacy is defined as the protection of individual rights to nondisclosure." I feel that privacy does protect us from abusers by those in power.

In addition, if American citizens do not have privacy then what do we have to prevent the government from keeping track of us. On the other hand, if an average user is not doing inappropriate actions online then they will not have to be worried about government surveillance. As Christians, we face many trials, but we must stand firm.

The Bible tells us to take a stand for what is right. As Christians, we must do this. 1 Corinthians 15:58 states, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (New International Version). We must take a stand when it comes to government surveillance.

References is it legal?: Government surveillance. (2014). Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom (Online), 63(2), 59. Dinev, T., Hart, P., & Mullen, M. R. (2008). Internet privacy concerns and beliefs about government surveillance - an empirical investigation. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 17(3), 214-233. doi:10.1016/j.jsis.2007.09.002 Harwood, M. (2016). Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning