Eye in The Sky: Who's Watchin' You?

In the years following the catastrophic events of September 11th, I've watched the ferocious debate over the apparent loss of our civil liberties. People have protested vociferously over the Patriot Act and the counter surveillance methods utilized by our own intelligence community. Meanwhile, internet venues such as Zaba Search, People Finders and Google’s satellite maps, afford anyone wanting to find out where you live, your financial status and so much more, easy access. Yesterday, while perusing various bytes of news, I came across Google's new Street View. With this handy new tool, folks can literally zone in on street level viewing of a location.

It is sheer hypocrisy to sit there complaining about governmental "spying" on ordinary citizens, then blithely ignore the private sectors use of surveillance tools. Think about this. Every man or women hiding from vengeful spouses, every person flying under the radar due to being stalked, every rape victim hoping to be safe somewhere, are at risk. Why?? So Google and other sites can trot out the latest destructive toy, and profit from the enhanced traffic?

This is yet another indication we are sliding perilously close to losing our most basic freedom: the right to privacy. Not at the hands of some alphabet agency, but from ordinary folks like you and I. I fear for us, I truly do, when we sit back and allow such an egregious breach to occur. Where are the ethical standards here? In law enforcement, in order to obtain the information had free by the public, a court order must be obtained. This is no simple matter either. A judge has to have reasonable documentation to support such an order. And often, the agency must go back and "tighten" up their proof before being granted their writ.

So why should Google be allowed to step in and invade our lives this way? Ask yourself, what purpose is being served by offering this to the public. Google’s response to anticipated protests is specious. It states if you are on a public street you have no privacy. Slick Madison Avenue response my friends. For this involves MUCH more than eyeballing people. Homes, vehicles and exact images of locations, put many people in harms way.

People who most need protection are stripped of it by the use of this tool. Used with Zaba and other sites that offer information on people, there's very little chance anyone has the smallest illusion of safety. What is it going to take? Someone being hurt or worse before people wake up and realize we've all been made vulnerable by money grubbing merchants?

I'd much rather be watched by my government, than by some faceless base coward sneaking in the shadows, observing my every move. Because I know that the chances of being monitored this closely by some intelligence agency are slim to next to none. And if it were to occur, they are governed by oversight and a strict set of protocols. But.. who's doing oversight on Google and other merchants of information??? Apparently no one.

So the next time you start whining about governments’ infringement on your privacy, you'd better stop yourself and ask why ordinary citizens are allowed to poke into your affairs and watch you through an eye in the sky.