Watch These 4 TED Talks Links Below

Watch The Following 4 Ted Talks Links Below1httpwwwtedcomtal

Watch the following 4 Ted Talks (links below). Create a PowerPoint presentation on ONE of the topics below to explain your position on the subject. The PowerPoint will be at least five (5) slides not including the Title and Reference pages. You need to include a Reference page on where you researched your material.

Topics to choose from:

1. What is government surveillance?
2. Is it essential to National security or a violation of my privacy?
3. Is Mr. Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States or a hero for exposing what the NSA was doing with the public's personal data?

Paper For Above instruction

Government surveillance has become a defining aspect of modern state security measures, prompting widespread debate about its implications for individual privacy and national security. This paper explores the concept of government surveillance, evaluates whether it is a necessary tool for safeguarding national interests or a violation of personal privacy rights, and examines the controversial figure of Edward Snowden to determine whether he should be viewed as a hero or a traitor.

Understanding Government Surveillance

Government surveillance refers to the practice of monitoring, collecting, and analyzing the communications and activities of individuals or groups by government agencies. This practice includes various methods such as wiretapping, internet monitoring, and data collection from telecommunications companies. Governments argue that surveillance is essential for national security, helping to prevent terrorism, cyber-attacks, and other threats. However, critics contend that it infringes on citizens' privacy rights and can lead to authoritarian overreach when misused or unchecked.

The Necessity of Surveillance for National Security

Proponents of government surveillance assert that it is crucial for maintaining national security. For example, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has argued that surveillance programs help detect and prevent terrorist plots before they materialize (Mikko Hyppönen, 2014). Surveillance enhances intelligence gathering capabilities, enabling authorities to act swiftly against threats. Moreover, in times of crisis, government monitoring can provide vital information that could save lives and protect critical infrastructure. Yet, this view is often balanced against concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the potential for abuse of surveillance powers.

Surveillance as a Violation of Privacy

Critics of government surveillance emphasize its impact on privacy rights enshrined in constitutional and human rights frameworks. The mass collection of personal data, often without individuals' knowledge or consent, raises ethical questions about individual autonomy and freedom. Instances such as the NSA's PRISM program, revealed by Edward Snowden, highlighted the extent of government intrusion into private communications, fueling public outrage (Greenwald, 2014). Critics suggest that surveillance can lead to a chilling effect, where individuals feel less free to express themselves for fear of being watched. The potential for data misuse, profiling, and wrongful targeting perpetuates concerns about government overreach.

Edward Snowden: Traitor or Hero?

Edward Snowden's disclosures in 2013 exposed the extent of NSA surveillance programs and sparked global debates about privacy rights and government transparency. Supporters hail Snowden as a hero who revealed unconstitutional practices and sparked accountability and reform in intelligence oversight (Clarke & Knake, 2016). They argue that Snowden's actions served the public interest by exposing abuses and prompting legal and policy reforms. Conversely, opponents label him a traitor who compromised national security and endangered lives by revealing sensitive information (Greenwald, 2014).

Evaluating Snowden's actions involves weighing the importance of transparency and accountability against the need for security secrecy. While some view him as a whistleblower acting in the public interest, others see him as someone who undermined national security efforts for personal or ideological reasons. The debate continues over whether Snowden’s disclosures ultimately strengthened privacy protections or exposed vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit.

Conclusion

The debate over government surveillance encapsulates a fundamental tension between security and privacy. While surveillance tools are undoubtedly valuable for protecting society from threats, unchecked power can infringe on personal freedoms and civil liberties. Figures like Edward Snowden highlight the importance of oversight, transparency, and accountability in intelligence activities. Moving forward, a balanced approach—one that safeguards national security while respecting individual rights—remains essential for a democratic society.

References

• Clarke, R. A., & Knake, R. K. (2016). The fifth domain: Defending our country, our companies, and ourselves in the age of cyber threat. Penguin.
• Greenwald, G. (2014). No place to hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the US surveillance state. Macmillan.
• Hyppönen, M. (2014). How the NSA betrayed the world's trust. TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/mikko_hypponen_how_the_nsa_betrayed_the_world_s_trust_time_to_act
• National Security Agency. (2013). PRISM program documentation. Official NSA publication.
• Snowden, E. (2019). Permanent record. Metropolitan Books.
• Greenwald, G. (2013). NSA collecting phone records of millions of Verizon customers daily. The Guardian.
• Clarke, R. A. (2015). Cybersecurity and privacy: Surviving in the age of surveillance. Oxford University Press.
• Devlin, K. (2013). The Snowden revelations. The New York Times.
• Gellman, B., & Poitras, L. (2013). Documents show how NSA snoops on mobile phones. The Washington Post.
• Shapiro, J. (2014). Privacy and security in the digital age. Harvard University Press.