Facebook sparks concerns over constitutional rights
Anthony Fusco
Issue date: 9/13/06 Section: Opinion
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It's no secret now: your voice has been heard. If you are quick to dismiss this claim, I would urge you to not be so hasty with that decision.
In case you live under a rock or simply haven't accessed the Internet in the last week, then you don't know about the current crisis that has gripped college campuses nationwide. This past week, college students have seen one of their best friends and procrastination ally turn into a tyrannical arch-enemy and then back again. Yes, unfortunately, I'm talking about Facebook.com and the recent changes to their site.
Before the changes were regulated late last week, it was easier than ever to know everything about everyone you know (or don't) just by checking out "The Feed" aspect of the Web site. While it contains miniscule information such as "Jason has added M.A.S.H. as one of his favorite shows," the majority of outcry by users stems from relationship info and wall postings becoming public record with a timestamp to confirm when it all went down.
So what happens when people become dissatisfied with a set of conditions that affect their daily lives? The answer is that they take action. In this case, hundreds of thousands students have taken matters into their own hands by taking a sudden interest in American government. Now you might be saying to yourself, "This kid couldn't be further from the truth." To you, I would reply that you are dead wrong. Whether done so consciously or inadvertently, those students who are dissatisfied with the changes to Facebook are following democratic protocol to the letter.
If you have joined a group that is against "The Feed" or signed a petition like I did last week, then you are evoking your First Amendment right to protest an apparent infringement of your 14th Amendment right to privacy. At this point in the article, you need to stop reading and pat yourself on the back, because you have taken a bigger step than you realize, and Thomas Jefferson himself couldn't be happier.
In case you live under a rock or simply haven't accessed the Internet in the last week, then you don't know about the current crisis that has gripped college campuses nationwide. This past week, college students have seen one of their best friends and procrastination ally turn into a tyrannical arch-enemy and then back again. Yes, unfortunately, I'm talking about Facebook.com and the recent changes to their site.
Before the changes were regulated late last week, it was easier than ever to know everything about everyone you know (or don't) just by checking out "The Feed" aspect of the Web site. While it contains miniscule information such as "Jason has added M.A.S.H. as one of his favorite shows," the majority of outcry by users stems from relationship info and wall postings becoming public record with a timestamp to confirm when it all went down.
So what happens when people become dissatisfied with a set of conditions that affect their daily lives? The answer is that they take action. In this case, hundreds of thousands students have taken matters into their own hands by taking a sudden interest in American government. Now you might be saying to yourself, "This kid couldn't be further from the truth." To you, I would reply that you are dead wrong. Whether done so consciously or inadvertently, those students who are dissatisfied with the changes to Facebook are following democratic protocol to the letter.
If you have joined a group that is against "The Feed" or signed a petition like I did last week, then you are evoking your First Amendment right to protest an apparent infringement of your 14th Amendment right to privacy. At this point in the article, you need to stop reading and pat yourself on the back, because you have taken a bigger step than you realize, and Thomas Jefferson himself couldn't be happier.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jake
posted 9/13/06 @ 7:42 PM CST
good article
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