Who gave America the right to launch network assaults?

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Who gave America the right to launch network assaults?

(People's Daily Online) 09:20, August 14, 2013

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Edward Snowden revealed the fact of large-scale telecom monitoring at home and abroad by the United States, confirming people’s previous assumptions. However, the world was still shocked by the depth and the breadth of the monitoring.

In response to the numerous questions put to the United States government on the subject, President Obama spoke recently. He put forward four measures on information reform in the United States, saying that he would adjust the law, strengthen the checks and balances on government power, increase the transparency of information monitoring, and establish a team of external experts to review the technology for information surveillance available to America.

The White House is trying to blur the distinction between the fight against terrorism and the protection of civil rights. Obama hopes to create the impression that he is at the same time meeting the needs of national security and the needs of public privacy, thus bringing to a conclusion the debate that was triggered by Snowden’s revelations more than a month ago. Whether the U.S. government can achieve its goal remains to be seen, although many of Obama's previous promises have proved to be empty. In addition, in view of the particular nature of information work, it will not be easy for ordinary Americans to verify that a guarantee to improve the transparency of information on monitoring has in fact been met.

But no matter what measures President Obama chooses to adopt, two things will not change: no new information policy will cause the U.S. government to cease its continuing monitoring of its own people, nor will it stop its close monitoring of other countries or its infringement of their information sovereignty. While the United States government’s intention of rebuilding the first balance - the balance between national security and the interests of the people – is apparent, there is no evidence of any intent to address the second balance - that between its own interests and those of other countries.

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