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The Importance Of Privacy In George Orwell's 1984

Decent Essays

The true sign of a free nation is its ability to keep intact its citizens’ privacy. With the recent rise of technology and with it the internet, that is becoming an issue. Every day, the government and private corporations are monitoring actions, but because the internet has become such an integral part of daily life it is rarely noticed. In George Orwell’s novel 1984, the oppressive government controlled by “Big Brother” destroys all forms of privacy and free thought through constant surveillance and propaganda. It’s citizens no longer know to think or act without the constant presence of “Big Brother” watching their every move. The government is slowly transforming America into an Orwellian society that has been subtly stripping American citizens of their basic rights by violating the fourth amendment and restricting internet. The fourth amendment exists to protect the right of privacy for all American civilians. It states that “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…” (Cornell University Law School. The government cannot search citizens unless there is a probable cause. Due to the increasing surveillance by government organizations such as the National Security Agency, this law is being violated. The NSA has created programs like Boundless Informant and Bull Run to track communications of unknowing parties. Edward Snowden in his TED talk “Here’s How We Take Back

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