Are we really alone whenever we close a door and speak on the phone? According to a recent newscast, the reality is that many of us have unexpected and unwanted company due to the downside of modern technology. The erosion of privacy of which I speak has nothing to do with eavesdropping or wire-tapping; it concerns online data brokers who, for a price of usually under $100, will sell anyone’s cell phone records to anyone who requests them.
While this may seem just annoying to some, consider the case of a woman who is being stalked by an abusive ex-husband who can afford to pay the fee involved to either purchase her cell phone records directly or hire a detective to do so. All he has to do is contact any one of them via the Internet and the dirty deed is done. Several large companies, like Verizon, have filed lawsuits against these online brokers, the results of which are currently pending.
The question is do we as citizens have the right to be alone when we use our cell phones? The answer can only be yes, unless we are doing something illegal or harmful to others. In all other cases, these records should not be available for sale. Even though the Constitution was written long before the invention of cell phones, isn’t there something there about the right to privacy? If there isn’t, then there should be.
I do remember that there’s something written in that fine document about the right to bear arms. Is that the answer on how to deal with these online data brokers? Obviously no, but surely there must be a solution somewhere within our legal system, for this can only mark the beginning of a process that will eventually claim the privacy of every citizen in this fine country of ours who can afford a cell phone.
What do YOU think about all this?