My Interviewees

My Father

My Grandmother

Questions

Since 9/11 the western world has been on alert for terrorism. Approximately 9 months ago a U.S. government contractor, Edward Snowden, revealed that the U.S. has been collecting phone records of millions of Verizon customers. It also revealed that Canada is doing the same.

Last week the head of Canada’s communication and surveillance agency (CSEC&CSIS0) testified in front of the Canadian senate that it has been collecting data in public places like airports and hotels. This data called Meta data. Metadata shows information like the location and telephone numbers of all calls a person makes and receives. It also tracks the Wi-Fi data. It does not include what is being said in the call.

1. Is the collection of metadata by Canada’s spy agency against our social justice? Is this an invasion of our privacy?

2.The head of the spy’s agency says that they don’t collect data of Canadians, just foreigners going through our public places because terrorists hide in public places, though many times foreigners call or email Canadians and that information is collected. If this is all for the security of Canadians and foreigners are the targets, shouldn’t this be okay?

3.Can u suggest any other legal way to spy on Canadians to secure the country and its people?

Answers- My Father

1. I believe this is an invasion to our privacy. However, it is necessary in order to catch the terrorists before they commit a crime.

2.I believe it should be allowed. A person who is not guilty should have nothing to hide. If the government is inadvertently collecting data from Canadian citizens then so be it. The only worry I have with countries collecting data on foreigners is that there is an agreement between countries to share information So in reality each country will receive data about their own citizens, via other countries.

3.I would have no problem if there were cameras on every street and public places so if a crime is committed, the person would be caught.

My Grandmother

1. It is completely an invasion of our privacy. When the government sits there hearing your conversation, you just invited strangers into your privacy.

2. They say that the information they are gathering is to find any terrorists. Who says they aren’t using this information for something else? Who’s the one getting this information? How do I know they aren’t looking through my business and stealing information or going through my bank accounts? A lot of privacy is being taken away.

When America had one of their elections, the tea party tried getting a tax ID number from the IRS and they IRS denied them. The IRS is part of the government. How did the IRS know to deny them? They called up anybody that had to do with the tea party and made it harder for any republican parties to win just so Obama can be re-elected. They were able to get all these numbers and information because all the data was saved. The reason for the government collecting data from the citizens of the country is to catch terrorists. But now we see that they are using it for something totally different.

3.They have enough information about terrorists’ sights, so they should track those people. Don’t follow everybody. They have what is called, a racial profile. What it does is it picks up anyone who may look suspicious. For example at the border a person can show signs of lying. Such as twitching or not speaking clearly or in a low voice. That shows you who you should watch out for. Don’t start going through the privacy of innocent people.