Public health crises like the Coronavirus have many other subtle and less-noticed effects. We are also facing a war on privacy currently. Civil liberties and digital privacy is at risk due to new legislation that could ban encryption, authorize searches and surveillance, and much more. While everyone has their attention focused on the public health emergency and other issues, we may be less likely to notice government efforts and legislation that infringes upon our privacy and security. Times like these are perfect for a governmental agency looking to crack down on privacy and surveil citizens even further. Keep watch for bills being passed that have anything to do with these topics. Shady legislators may even try to combine privacy and rights-violating components with other, more unsuspecting bills. Actions being taken by authorities for “betterment of public safety” or “public health” are often in violation as these terms are used to justify actions like unconstitutional surveillance, and more.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/03/protecting-civil-liberties-during-public-health-crisis
LIS 4022 Spring 2020 