PRISM is increasingly becoming popular as concerned parties are perturbed about news that the US government, through the US National Security Agency (NSA) and FBI, issued blanket requests for popular online sites’ information about users from their data servers.
Facebook, Apple and Google, though, denied knowledge of knowing about its existence and the allegation that government requested full access to their data servers.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, stated that there were instances that government requested for Facebook information but Facebook only provided those that are required by law, with a court order. He assured Facebook users that they will continue “fighting aggressively” to keep users’ information safe.
The US National Security Agency or NSA has been allegedly ‘snooping’ into users’ emails and communications to guard against terrorism. Presumably, leaks have been occurring for years.
A government that is persistent and passionate about protecting its shores from terrorists is now being criticized by the very people that it wanted to protect. US citizens, who expressed their views online, apparently, disapproved PRISM.
Larry Page, Google’s CEO, stated that “It undermines the freedom we all cherish.”
PRISM is likened to holding a solution of nitroglycerin in the government’s hands; people in government have to watch out or it would explode in their faces. The US government has, undoubtedly, good reasons to launch the project. The problem is how to identify terrorists through their online activities.
People would cooperate when they know it is a matter of life and death. What if a person’s family is in potential danger from an online-lurking terrorist? He would like to ensure that his family is safe and sound.
The question for NSA, the FBI about PRISM is this: “Is the program worthy of violating the privacy of people it purports to protect?”
From the Twin Towers 9-11 occurrence, the US government has learned the hard way. It has to stay vigilant – always.
A question for the people is this: “What is more important, their safety or their freedom?”
How can people be free, if they are not safe?
Or is it just like what American Patriot, Patrick Henry, said: “Give me liberty, or give me death”?
As US President Obama and his administration scramble to contain the situation, Netizens await the final revelation.
