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• 1 media/latitude.png media/gps diagram.jpg 2018-04-23T14:07:40-07:00 GPS 9 Government Surveillance image_header 2018-04-24T19:44:44-07:00 Freedom Doesn’t Entitle Privacy
  Satellites are used to help us see the world, which is useful for security, emergencies, and just helping us in our everyday lives. In 2018 we use our phone for everything, they are practically glued to our hands. We not only use them to communicate but to access the internet, take pictures and videos, and to help us get from point A to B. We utilize the Global Positioning System (GPS) to help us find our way around the world. GPS is a 24/7 navigation system that is made up of twenty-four satellites worldwide. You can utilize GPS at any time, in all weather conditions and from anywhere in the world. Having the ability to get anywhere on your own is an amazing feeling, but GPS is not only used for leisure or convenience. GPS is used by the military, police force, ambulance, UPS, and so many other people and organizations. The military used GPS to not only navigate the world but to spy on other countries and save lives. The police and ambulances use GPS to track people and location in emergency situations to keep people safe and prevent bad things from happening on the daily. The aide of GPS is helpful when it comes emergencies because we now have the technology to track certain devices through phone calls, text messages, or cell tower usage which leads first responders to the proper places.  It is great that we can use GPS because we have the ability to go anywhere we want without a problem. Just by typing in a new location we can go anywhere, on the other hand, by using that technology we open ourselves up to be tracked and/or found very easily. We have the freedom to go and do what we please, but not the privacy.
  The government has the technology and ability to see everything. There are camera’s all around us daily, in the stores we shop, gas stations, ATM machines, people’s home and so much more. Those cameras can be accessed by anyone from the police, government officials, and even the neighbor. One person can be tracked all day long just by hacking into the cameras on their route. Not only that, their personal cellphone, work key card, and laptop can be accessed by anyone too. The National Security Agency (NSA) is a government intelligence agency whose main priority to is to keep us safe. They are the ones behind all of the technology and they have the means to access all types of sources in order to stay on top of threats. When referring to the government, we are really referring to the NSA. The NSA works on many missions each day which helps to keep people safe, and they stay on top of things to help prevent bad things from happening. But they can't stop all of it, and there are times when they need to prioritize their list.  The government uses technology to track people every single day. But not just anyone, typically people who are a threat to society. But with the push of a button they have a front row seat to your every move. We like to think that the government only uses their technology to prevent bad things from happening and to track only the necessary people. But with the click of a button, they can bring up your name and your whereabouts. They utilize GPS to locate a person, using their cell phone and their vehicle. From anywhere in the world you are never untouchable unless you are out of reach of any and all technology. If you are needed to be found, you will be without a doubt.
   GPS is important to help keep us safe and for our overall well-being, but it can also be used for leisure. There is a hobby called Geocaching that uses GPS to find “treasures” all over the world. The idea of this activity is to use GPS coordinates that you find along your hike or travels to find cache along the trail or beach. Once you find it you then leave something to replace it or just leave it behind for the next person, usually leaving your name in a notepad so others can see how many were there before them. As pictured, the Geocaching “treasure” is stored in a weatherproof box, usually hidden in a hole or tree, or under something else. Easy to find but not visible to everyone else.