Our Political Action Committee is deeply concerned about the current state of individual privacy in the United States. In contrast to countries like Switzerland and Western European nations, where individual privacy rights are not only respected but enforced, the U.S. exhibits a distressing lack of privacy for its citizens. The passage of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe is seen as a positive step towards protecting privacy, and we believe that the U.S. should follow suit with similar, stringent privacy regulations.
We acknowledge the growing problem of privacy violations by private companies and government authorities in the U.S. These entities often compromise individual privacy under the guise of targeted advertising or anti-terrorism measures. Practices like warrantless wiretaps, particularly targeting specific groups, raise serious concerns about civil liberties and privacy rights. We advocate for the strict enforcement of legal procedures for surveillance, with penalties including fines and jail time for violations.
Commending companies like Apple for their efforts to enhance privacy protections, we believe more can be done. There is a pressing need for technology companies, especially those in the smartphone industry, to prioritize secure systems. We propose that these companies develop devices with robust end-to-end encryption for both voice and data, ensuring communication security even over insecure cellular networks.
The underlying issue is not just the security of devices, but the inherent vulnerabilities in the cellular networks themselves. We call for a concerted effort from industry leaders to address these weaknesses and enhance the overall security of digital communications.
In the context of post-9/11 security measures and the Patriot Act, we recognize the delicate balance between national security and individual freedoms. However, we strongly believe that surveillance and security protocols should not infringe upon the rights and privacy of citizens.
Furthermore, we stress the importance of limiting electronic surveillance by employers to company-issued equipment, respecting the privacy of employees’ personal devices. The issue of unencrypted email traffic and the vulnerability of operating systems like Windows 10 to potential security breaches also needs urgent attention.
Finally, we propose legislative action to prevent corporations from excessively probing into the personal histories of their employees and contractors. Respect for individual growth and the evolution of character over time is essential. We advocate for a system where only necessary background checks are performed, without delving into distant past actions that have no bearing on current capabilities or trustworthiness.
Our aim is to foster an environment where privacy is valued and protected, balancing the needs of national security with the fundamental rights of individuals in the digital age.