About Quote by Rebecca MacKinnon
“Despite the Obama administration's proclaimed commitment to global Internet freedom, the executive branch is not transparent about the types and capabilities of surveillance technologies it is sourcing and purchasing - or about what other governments are purchasing the same technology.”
About This Quote
Source Report: Freedom on the Net, Freedom House, 2020
Governments claim to support internet openness while hiding details of surveillance tools they acquire and share with allies.
In simple terms: Governments hide surveillance tech details despite freedom claims.
Key Takeaway
Demand transparency in surveillance procurement.
Themes
privacy
government accountability
digital rights
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy advocacy
- journalistic investigation
- public awareness campaigns
Key Concepts
surveillance tech
state secrecy
international cooperation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens pressure governments for openness?
- What mechanisms ensure accountability for shared surveillance tech?
A Different Perspective
Lack of transparency hampers public oversight and trust.
![“One of the things I think is really problematic about something like [government] spyware is that it isn't transparent - because of that anonymity and that secrecy, there aren't laws to regulate it.” quote by Maggie Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/382/maggie-gyllenhaal-7292_anonymity_one-of-the-things-i-think-is-really-prob_1923267.jpg)
