Privacy may not be so private anymore

Privacy may not be so private anymore

 

Complex issues that surround the most recent scandals in Washington question whether the government has the right to review private emails. FBI has diligently reviewed the private emails of General Petraeus and a woman said to be his paramour. As this scandal spreads revelations that the privacy of many may have been violated by a government agency that is overreaching. Information to date notes that the FBI had no court order to check the Petraeus’ emails nor of other people involved, some yet to be identified. The question arises are our emails and other digital communications safe. For the last 5 days all spectrums of the media have debated this point with a consensus agreeing that privacy has been redefined in this digital age. In defense of FBI, former agents have noted that protocols require this agency to check emails where national security may be at risk. Classified documents have been found in the computer of General Petraeus’ paramour. Three days after the election it was determined the origins of these documents could not be traced to the former CIA director. Can your emails be gleaned for data at the will of a government agency? This issue becomes quasi in nature do to a number of issues. The Patriot Acted signed into law one month after the Twin Towers fell gives the government expansive abilities to monitor emails. One caveat is built into the law that requires several levels of approval for monitoring unless an extreme emergency exists. America’s newest government bureaucracy, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also has power, under certain circumstances, to monitor your electronic mail. Software exists that can select out key words and phrases, that may be of a threatening nature, is utilized across the social media including emails. In the event a threat is perceived further investigation may be warranted.  Emails of all Americans including high ranking government officials, can be lawfully reviewed, without the knowledge of the writer as the law presently stands. No one should be surprised this is occurring because the nation lives under a level of fear not felt since the days of the Cold War. Becareful how you construct your emails, more than one person may be reading them. Mark Davis, MD www.healthnetsreviewservices.com