Question

What ethical and legal issues have resulted from changes to criminal laws, detainment, and punishment that are the result of 9/11 and the continuing threat of terrorism? Identify at least three ethical or legal issues.

Answer 1

The various ethical and legal issues that arose post 9/11 and due to continuing terrorism are as below:

1) Issues of privacy and freedom of speech: As per the FISA amendments of 2008( Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ) the government is authorized to access the international communications of its citizens through various electronic means. Under this, the government can tap into the communication lines going outside of America without the need for a warrant.

2) Full body scanners at airports as part of security measures: Under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, from the year 2010, the TSA deployed around 450 full body scanners which portrays a full body scan image of the passengers from under their clothing.

3) Creation of ethnic profiles: The FBI has formed ethnic maps across the major cities based on the presence of various Muslim American groups in various cities across America with an aim of gathering information about potential terrorism.