Discussion topic/Question

Your life is somewhere in a database

Many TV shows depict law enforcement personnel accessing readily accessible databases that contain all types of records about individuals -records about everything from address to telephone records to finances, insurance, and criminal history. The information you share with your bank, doctor, insurance agent, the TSA, ancestry kit companies, and on social media can make your life an open book. Here are some questions to address as you reflect on this: 1. Are you comfortable with giving away some of your privacy for increased security? Why or why not? How far would you let the government go in examining people's private lives? 2. How much access should we have to certain aspects of others' private lives? For example, should States share criminal databases? But should a database of people paroled or released for crimes be made public? Why or why not?

Peer's Discussion Post

Hello,

Privacy vs. Security: A Delicate Balance

In today's digital age, the intersection of privacy and security has become a critical topic of discussion. The questions posed encourage us to reflect on the value we place on our personal privacy versus the perceived benefits of enhanced security measures.

1. Comfort with Privacy Trade-offs for Security:

Personally, I find myself conflicted when it comes to trading privacy for security. On one hand, I acknowledge that certain security measures can help protect us from threats. For instance, after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, many citizens accepted heightened surveillance measures at airports and increased scrutiny of personal data as necessary for national security (Blair & Waller, 2020). However, I am wary of how far the government should go in examining private lives. There should be a balance; invasive measures that compromise individual freedoms and personal privacy could lead to a slippery slope towards authoritarianism (Solove, 2006). For example, the use of data mining to predict criminal behavior raises ethical concerns about profiling and discrimination (Binns et al., 2018).

Ultimately, I believe the government should be granted limited access to personal data, primarily in cases with a demonstrable threat and with appropriate oversight. An accountable framework ensures that privacy is respected while still addressing legitimate security concerns.

2. Access to Others' Private Lives:

Regarding access to certain aspects of others' private lives, I believe there should be specific boundaries. The sharing of criminal databases among states can serve public safety by allowing law enforcement to track and monitor repeat offenders effectively. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is an example of a system that helps agencies coordinate and manage criminal data (FBI, 2021). However, making databases of individuals released from incarceration publicly accessible raises ethical and practical issues. While transparency is important, publicizing such information could lead to stigmatization and hinder reintegration efforts, as studies have shown that labeling and public shaming contribute to recidivism rates (Harris, 2016).

While there are compelling arguments for increased security measures, we must carefully weigh the implications on personal privacy. Striking a balance between security and privacy protects individual rights while fostering a safer society.

References:

Blair, A., & Waller, L. (2020). *Privacy and Surveillance: The Costs and Benefits of Information Sharing in a Post-9/11 World*. University Press.

Binns, R., Veale, M., Van Kleek, M., & Shadbolt, N. (2018). "'Fairness in Machine Learning: Lessons from Political Philosophy." In Proceedings of the 2018 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (pp. 149-158).

FBI. (2021). "National Crime Information Center (NCIC)." Retrieved from [https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ncic](https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ncic)

Harris, A. (2016). "The Role of Stigma in the Increasing Prison Population." *Criminology & Public Policy*, 15(2), 379-404.

Solove, D. J. (2006). *The Digital Person: Technology and Privacy in the Information Age*. New York University Press.

Respond to the "Peer's Discussion Post" above in not more than three paragraphs, agree or disagree, your responds must be supported byrelevant information. Prove the point you are making by a) citingexternal research, b) citing readings from the class content, or c) providing examples or personal experiences that are relevant and support your position on the topic. It is always better to begin your reflection on the topic by doing some research/reading, either a) or b) or both, before considering personal experience. Ask a question to further the discussion.