Remember when the Edward Snowden scandal broke out last year? We found out the NSA spied on our devices and computers. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
At first, it looked like major tech corporations from Apple to Yahoo were in cahoots with the NSA to take our info. Then reports came out saying they were ordered into it. Now, these tech giants are denying demands for public online data. This increasing defiance gives many Americans the fuel they need to fight criminal investigations and potentially trumped up charges. Apple, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo and Facebook are changing policies to inform us about government data seizures during and before they happen. Of course, many agencies disagree with these new policies. The US Justice Department says all these polices will do is hinder criminal investigations and make victims even more vulnerable.
On the surface, I’m happy these tech giants are making this step. I’m glad to know they’re stepping up for the little guy and are responding to the public outcry in this way. There’s still the eternal optimist in me that says they’re taking this stand because they’re standing with the people. But the cynic in me wonders if they’re doing it because they’re trying to distance from the NSA for their own financial security. But either way, I’m glad they’re making this move. Do you think this struggle between tech corporations and gov’t entities is over?