Re:More encryption means less privacy
by sliverstorm on Tuesday August 09, 2016 @01:27PM
(#12256217)
Government doesn't have a right to meticulous transcriptions of every verbal conversation you've ever had. But, it does have a right to do its utmost to figure out what was said. It has a right to search your file cabinet, or tap your phone, or tail you with a detective, with a warrant of course.
Does it though? A right? Like your right to freedom of thought? That's big! Would you think this if a judge hadn't ruled this way?
Because in our system it's not the judge who can make that call, it's you (theoretically a citizen) who grants the government the authority to take certain (constitutionally limited) actions as long as it serves the people.
If the government has a "right" to tap your phone they have the same right to plant a microphone on you, and at that, they do have a right to every verbal conversation you've had. Because they can get one from the other.
Why is online discourse different? Just because the bits still exist in some sense, why does that mean they need to be accessible?