No question about it, democracy is messy. Included in our Constitution is the right of the people to “peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” However, those rights are now being threatened in the development of new technologies to identify people by their irises or facial features, enabling officials to monitor cellphone activities and even physical movements.
ICE and DHS have contracted with some private companies to develop such technology which raises the question of whether we as Americans will continue to have those rights. Government officials claim thee technologies are being developed to target only those engaged in violent protests; however, in this environment, one cannot be to sure.
The definition of “domestic terrorism” is often, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. The use of such technology is akin to citizen monitoring in China where no one can express any dissent from government policy. Is this what we are becoming?
Prayer for the Day
God of the past, you have shown your steadfast love to us,
May we respond to your faithfulness in serving others;
God of the present, you challenge us to live in community;
May we respond to your call by caring for others.
God of the future, you ask us to envision wild possibilities;
Expand our vision of who we are and what we can be.
In the name of the One who opens the door for us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
I’m extremely concerned about how ICE will use spyware, facial recognition and other technology to further trample on the rights of Americans and anyone who Donald Trump labels as an enemy.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
We don’t know if law enforcement or ICE are getting search warrants to deploy this spyware. It’s also a First Amendment issue because your phone contains all your communications, all your expressions. It has your contact lists, it has your social media. Any political organizing people do, it’s typically on social media now, or over the phone.
Maria Villegas Bravo, Electronic Privacy Information Center
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15: 3