The Death of Privacy in America…

Everybody’s talking about privacy: the U.S. Government, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and even a handful of nanotechnology firms. And, while privacy advocates would have us believe that it’s already too late to stop our government, some of us are scratching our heads and wondering what to think. Could current trends end privacy as we know it? What does nanotechnology mean for the future of privacy?

The days of anonymity left with social security numbers. The increasing number of identity thefts, medical record leaks, and software security flaws are all cause for alarm. Privacy may be becoming ever more scarce. Yesterday, I talked about cell phone security concerns. Tomorrow, we might discuss yet another leak of credit card records. But what does our government think about this?
It hasn’t escaped anybody’s notice that the Whitehouse is already spying on citizens with only questionable legal grounds. Today’s house inquiry on surveillance could set an incredible precedent. And, if we use the U.S. Patriot Act as a guide, the house will likely agree with the president’s domestic surveillance program.

I’m sure several readers out there are thinking, “I don’t have anything to fear…I’m not a terrorist.” It is obvious, however, that the issue is not so clear-cut. Questionable government databases, an Orwellian domestic informant program, and the systematic analysis of communications before ascertaining that the individuals involved pose a security threat are incredibly worrisome.

Relatively recent trends in nanotechnology complicate the problem further.

It’s no secret that a number of nanotech firms are developing surveillance technology. In fact, the first nanotechnology-based image sensor debuted in January. When looked at in light of ever-increasing venture capital funding for nanotechnology, it’s clear that we’ll likely see a number of new surveillance-related nanotech inventions in the next few years.

The support of such technology both by the government and by privately held firms will clearly lead to a change in privacy as we know it. Whether that change will be good or bad remains to be seen.