221–223 of 223 posts
Among other things, this is the tipping point for how Snowden will be viewed. If all these powerful companies agree, in an unprecedented show of unanimity, that this is an important problem, then Snowden is ipso facto a hero for bringing it to our attention. The curious thing is, I feel the linkage works in the other direction too. If Snowden had been caught and was now having his brains scrambled by solitary confine…
Among other things, this is the tipping point for how Snowden will be viewed. If all these powerful companies agree, in an unprecedented show of unanimity, that this is an important problem, then Snowden is ipso facto a hero for bringing it to our attention. The curious thing is, I feel the linkage works in the other direction too. If Snowden had been caught and was now having his brains scrambled by solitary confine…
There is nothing more reviled by people who were born during the cold war than a criminal who defects first to china and then to russia. No amount of tech industry pr can facilitate a comeback from that. Almost half of the people in this country will always see Snowden as a traitor. Government surveillance has become a political wedge issue, similar to abortion. No one likes it or encourages it but people have strong…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
What makes you think government couldn't make this problem go away?
Several reasons: Although the US government sets the pace, it isn't the only government that is snooping. Secondly, many governments will always consider some level of spying legitimate. Therefore it is up to technology and service providers to secure their customers against any and all snooping. The idea that surveillance can be "reformed" is unworkable, unrealistic.
I disagree and feel this is a dangerous abdication of responsibility. I wouldn't believe politicians' reassurances about any reform, but clearly budgets could be cut, and strict safeguards put in place. We should expect nothing less from our governments, while working to protect ourselves as well.