Through the many evolutions of technology, from the early computers to the massive data server that make up the various websites we use, it may be bewildering to realize that technology can be utilized for data collection and surveillance. Even yet, it may baffle some to learn that our government actively participates in these practices. It happens, and so much as we like to have our privacy, our government has a copy of everything you have ever done on the Internet. Many individuals are against this because this is our government which is spying on unsuspecting civilians. Although technology may be convenient and even aid in criminal cases, it is, however, an invasion of privacy since it gives the government an all access pass to your life without your consent.

To commence, when the government has access to your data, it is up to them on what they want to collect. Anything from your emails, to your Amazon purchase history is on their radar. Furthermore, you will never even know what has been collected. In Online Surveillance: We All Have Something to Hide, Mohammad I. Aslam states, ¨So, it doesn't bother you that the government has logged, collected, deciphered, and indefinitely stored your entire browsing history and habits - what websites you visited, what you posted on social media and chat forums, your search queries and even what you watched¨ (1). This quote explains how the government has full access to what you do online, and that they have even stored it in a giant data bank for ‘who knows how long’. Like some people, technology has two sides. At times, it can be useful, but it can also be used for devious purposes, including collecting data and sending it up to the mothership, or the government. They even have access to every single phone call and text you have made (Aslam 2). Not only does the government have access to what you do online, and on the phone, but they even know the metadata, including the ‘who, what, where, when, and why’ of the call. It brings the thought of the government spying on us to a whole new level of creepiness. But do not take my word for it, even experts in the field have confirmed the various methods of which the government ganders on its citizens. In Online Surveillance: We All Have Something to Hide, Mohammad I. Aslam states, ¨ Edward Snowden confirmed an 'open secret'--that far from being able to snarf regular internet-based activities, agents can also remotely listen into physical location conversations, be they pillow talk or boardroom meetings, by surreptitiously turning on the device's microphone - even if the user has turned it off. If that were not bad enough, he also revealed that the device's camera can be remotely switched on to allow agents a real-time peep at individual activities,location and settings” (3). Even if you have disabled loopholes in your phone and computer, the government could still spy on you, inadvertently giving the government a ‘carbon copy’ of your life.

In essence, continuing to shrug at data collection is borderline stupid. If we do not do anything, then our government will never stop. Rather, we need to lash out, and fight for our privacy. After all, we surely do not want our data to be leaked out in a system breach, do we?