 |
| | credits: |
A cross section of Facebook users from different continents have urged Mark Zuckerberg, the Chief Executive Officer of the social networking website, not to disclose details of their online activities to their home governments.
Edward Snowden, American former technical contractor and Central Intelligence Agency employee, who worked as a contractor for the National Security Agency, had early this month raised the alarm over the existence of a clandestine national security electronic surveillance programme and data collection effort by the United States.
The programme codenamed PRISM is reported to be used by the United States National Security Agency for monitoring Internet traffic through Google, Facebook, YouTube, Skype, Yahoo and other websites.
Snowden’s disclosure has forced Zuckerberg to publicly deny his company’s involvement in the programme, via his Facebook page. He says, ‘’Facebook is not and has never been part of any programme to give the US or any other government direct access to our servers. We will continue fighting aggressively to keep your information safe and secure.’’
Yet, the hint has unsettled the ranks of many Facebook users, with some of them saying they are not satisfied with the explanation given by Zuckerberg about the development.
Reacting to Zuckerberg’s claim that Facebook is not granting “direct access’’ to any government to its servers, a user, Andrew Sider, commenting on his post asks, “How about indirect access?’’
Also, a Facebook user resident outside the US, Benjamin Bruheim, wonders if the privacy of users of the social network outside the United States could be guaranteed with the current happenings.
“I’m curious whether they care as much for privacy for foreigners as they do for Americans. Certainly in recent statements, they admit that there’s little protection for the rights of the rest of the world,’’ Bruheim laments.
Mohammed Abbasi, a citizen of United Arab Emirates, based in the United Kingdom, warns that granting governments access to their Facebook activities would amount to a disregard to their privacy and rights to liberty.
He notes, “Come on Mark Zuckerberg! Get more active on this! Facebook is a great platform for the future of all of us and letting any government play with our liberties and through the use of your platform – Facebook – we will suffer!’’
Some of those who took to Zuckerberg’s Facebook page say they would henceforth be wary of information they post on the social network.
Lalit Indoria, a Facebook user in India says, “I still don’t believe in sharing personal data on any site. Photos, for example, can be retrieved on Facebook even after deletion. They exist on Facebook’s CDN (Content Delivery Network) for more than a month.’’
Some Facebook users have also vowed to protest against any decision by their home governments to illegally monitor their Facebook activities.
A user resident in The Netherlands, Jules Stoop, commenting on Zuckerberg’s page, says, “I’m still somewhat worried about people outside the US. I heard/read many reassurances for US citizens (not including yours, by the way, as you address Facebook users in general) but I’ll have to take this one up with my own government I suppose.’’
Some Nigerian users are also worried about the development. Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, seems to be leading a campaign on Facebook as he has sent signals to the Nigerian government not to tow the same line with the US.
Fani-Kayode describes Snowden as a hero, adding, “The PRISM spy system, which he has exposed, is intrusive, dangerous and evil and it violates our collective right to privacy.’’
He adds, “The question is: Why does the American government feel the need to spy on its own people and on every single citizen in the world all in the name of fighting terror.
“They can spy but this must be done within the framework of the law and the constitution and with all the necessary checks and balances to protect civil liberties and the right to privacy. The world is increasingly and gradually turning into a very ugly place.’’
No comments:
Post a Comment