What's the implication of the government's clandestine program of tracking people's financial information?

Question

What ever happened to 'rights to privacy'? Is it possible to strike a balance between a government-sponsored 'spying' to fight terror and to maintain civil liberties like a citizen's rights to privacy?

Answer 1

The implication is that if you are doing something you are not supposed to be, you might get caught.

Answer 2

This is actually one of the few times when the government's actions were not unreasonable. Courts have long held that there is no expectation of privacy in bank records, especially bank records maintained by foreign banks.

An earlier poster was correct that there is no literal 'right to privacy'. However, the concept of privacy and legitimate expectation thereof has been part of 4th Amendment jurisprudence for over a century.

Is it possible to strike a balance? Sure. All the government has to do is follow the laws. To my knowledge, there is nothing illegal (under US laws) about asking foreign banks to turn over financial data. Warrantless wiretapping, on the other hand, is a clear violation of federal law (FISA). As is the phone call database (Stored Communications Act, prior to March 2006).

So, it really depends upon the specific activity and what laws have been enacted relative to it.

Answer 3

The implication is that you are losing your liberties, rights and privacy. Some people tell you that the government is doing this to protect you and that if you are doing nothing wrong then you shouldn't be worried.
#1 the government doesn't care about protecting you. There are many examples; most recent example: Katrina.
#2 who decides right/wrong? A government that acts so arbitrarily can also arbitrarily change its mind about right and wrong. It's not about right and wrong, its about checks and balances and most people often forget that
#3 study some history and see if governments are generally benevolent organizations or otherwise.

Answer 4

The government knows people lie on their IRS forms. They catch many at it but it is difficult, until the laws get rewritten under the Patriot Act and then they have a way of tracking all your wall street stock lie splitting. The government has always wanted a way to get it's own people and now they have the laws rewritten to help them finally do it. This war has always been enginereed falsely and the target has always been American citizens and not some foreign power.

Answer 5

There never was a right to privacy. The goverment has been collecting info on people forever. Just remember when the government thought everybody was a communist. Well it is the same thing....

Answer 6

the final to privateness has been traditionally inferred from the final of non-public autonomy interior the 14th replace. Please see the link below for a communicate of the constitutional interpretation of the final to privateness. as for the consequence of our dropping our privateness, study "brave New international" by potential of Aldous Huxley. it rather is an previous e book that advance into rather written as a social remark on communism (IMO), yet as fiction, it exemplifies what entire government intrusion to your guy or woman existence may be like.

Answer 7

You only need to worry if you have something to hide. Would you rather have your mother killed in a terrorist attack, or would you rather have the government sift through information trying to stop terrorists?

Answer 8

They are only "looking" into someones "business" if that person is doing "business" with the enemy.

Now what part of that sounds scary?

The part you don't understand sounds scary, I'll tell you that straight up . . .

Answer 9

not this one