Issues: Privacy

ARCHIVED 2012-08-10, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20120810_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20111126_rev01

Full text changes — 20111126_rev01 to 20120810_rev01

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 **New technologies are radically advancing our freedoms but they are also enabling unparalleled invasions of privacy.**
+Your cell phone helps you keep in touch with friends and families but it also makes it easier for the feds to track your location.
+Your cell phone helps you keep in touch with friends and families but it also makes it easier for security agencies to track your location.
+Your Web searches about sensitive medical information might seem secret known only to you and search engines like Google. But by logging your online activities these companies are creating a honeypot of personal information potentially available to any party wielding a subpoena.
+Your Web searches about sensitive medical information might seem a secret between you and your search engine, but companies like Google are creating a treasure trove of personal information by logging your online activities, and making it potentially available to any party wielding enough cash or a subpoena.
+And the next time you try to board a plane watch out-you might be turned away after being mistakenly placed on a government watch list based on erroneous data.
+And the next time you try to board a plane, watch out-you might be turned away after being mistakenly placed on a government watch list, or be forced to open your email in the security line.
+Technology isn't the real problem though; rather the law has yet to catch up to our evolving expectations of and need for privacy. In fact new government initiatives and laws have severely undermined our rights in recent years.
+National and international laws have yet to catch up with the evolving need for privacy that comes with new technology. Several governments have also chosen to use malware to engage in extra-legal spying or system sabotage for dissidents or non-citizens, all in the name of "national security."
+Privacy rights are enshrined in our Constitution for a reason - a thriving democracy requires respect for individuals' autonomy as well as anonymous speech and association. These rights must be balanced against legitimate concerns like law enforcement but checks must be put in place to prevent abuse of government powers.
+Respect for individuals' autonomy, anonymous speech, and the right to free association must be balanced against legitimate concerns like law enforcement. National governments must put legal checks in place to prevent abuse of state powers, and international bodies need to consider how a changing technological environment shapes security agencies' best practices.
+EFF fights in the courts and Congress to extend your privacy rights into the digital world and supports the development of privacy-protecting technologies. Donate to EFF to help support our efforts.
+EFF fights in the courts and Congress to extend your privacy rights into the digital world, and works with partners around the globe to support the development of privacy-protecting technologies. Read our work on privacy issues below, and join EFF to help support our efforts.
 **For information about the law and technology of government surveillance in the United States check out EFF's [Surveillance Self-Defense](http://ssd.eff.org/) project.**