Glenn Frey, founding member of The Eagles dies

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For and against essay-C1student's samples

A FOR-AND-AGAINST ESSAY

Do you think governments and businesses should be allowed to collect our personal data?

We are told that these days our personal data are not our own anymore, since our day-to-day activity can be monitored and recorded by governments and businesses. However, this apparent invasion of our privacy can result in unforeseeable benefits for us.

Of course, if we consider the amount of data that is collected on all of us, even if we decide to remain at home, we can feel threatened. Mobile phones, credit cards and internet searches leave detailed footprints of our privacy, such as who our friends are, what we usually eat or where we intend to spend our holidays.

Nevertheless, if we want to live as we do, we cannot prevent this from happening. We can, though, try to take advantage of leaving our personal information open to governments and companies. It is undeniable that monitoring online activity prevents crime and terrorism. Moreover, the analysis of people’s purchases can lead to important discoveries to treat problems related to, for example, eating habits; not to mention the wide range or possibilities all these databases offer for sociological researches.

To sum up, even though our lives, as citizens or customers, are more or less invaded, in my opinion governments and businesses should be allowed to collect our data, in order to make our everyday lives easier and safer.

A.F

( 220 words)

FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY

TOPIC: Do you think governments and businesses should be allowed to collect data such as what phone numbers we call, what we buy and where we shop, and what types of searches we do on the internet? Why or why not?

Nowadays we are living in a time of great uncertainty and international insecurity. This seems to be a widespread and deep-rooted feeling which dates back to the terrorist attacks in New York or —more recently— in France. However, the question is whether or not institutions such as governments should be allowed to investigate us on the grounds of national security or the world of business, but actually for their own benefit.

Of course, there are good arguments in favour of collecting our personal data and tracking our Internet behavior and online activity. Many people think that it is a matter of public safety because storing cell data may prevent illegal and criminal activity. As for the world of business, data analysis is considered basic and mandatory to any company in order to know the characteristics of a potential buyer.

Nonetheless, there is also a strong opposition to this surveillance policy. Citizens who have never been known to be involved in terrorist or criminal activities consider it an unjustifiable invasion of their privacy. At the same time, businesses can eventually abuse their privileged situation and end up harassing the consumers.

To summarise, in my opinion governments should always perform within the boundaries which preserve citizen’s freedom and also, the world of business should not use personal data without the explicit permission of the consumers.

A.A.S.

A FOR-AND-AGAINST ESSAY

DO YOU THINK GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COLLECT DATA?

In this information age with businesses and governments protecting us but at the same time collecting our data the question we should be asking is: where do we draw the line between safety and privacy?

Monitoring our activities has some major advantages. First of all, hackers who are responsible for cybercrimes can be tracked down and brought to justice. Also, intelligence agencies can predict where a terrorist attack is going to take place and that way prevent it from happening. In addition, with all the cutting-edge technology if criminals steal our car or break into our house they can be easily identified.

Nevertheless, gathering information involves other types of problems. One of them is, what do they do with all that material? Companies buy and sell data for different purposes. For instance, Google advertises products depending on your profile and searches. Furthermore, we all have the right to privacy; this is something recognised by international organizations as a fundamental right. This means that our government should not have complete access to everything because, as a result, your private life is no longer private.

In conclusion, public safety is necessary in our lives but, it seems to me that surveillance programmes have to be proportional to the danger we are facing and under a law approval; at the end of the day you should remember to be careful because Big Brother is always spying on you.  (L.G)

For and against essay

Big Data: Great Good or Big Brother

Two decades ago, the internet triggered ´the age of information´, where data became more valuable than gold. Governments and companies have valid reasons to compile information about people’s lives. However, their purposes are not always honest.

One of the main reasons why governments carry out this mass surveillance is because of prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences. Certainly, the recent high-profile cases of terrorism──the 9/11 attacks were the beginning of them ─ have provided them with the perfect excuse. Moreover, it is a way to champion the cause of law-abiding citizens. Furthermore, scientists and researchers use big data to solve complex issues relating to fields like environmental, biomedical and medical research, among others.

Nevertheless, there are considerable problems with the indiscriminate data collection. One consequence of it is the invasion of privacy. Information like ´where people are or what they do or like´ is steadily tracked and stored. What is more, personal data is a gold mine for companies which trade it, and as a result of it, people undergo customized search results and tailored advertising. Another downside is that citizens are treated as potential crime suspects every time they take a plane.  

In conclusion, although gathering data has benefits, it has many disturbing disadvantages. Accordingly, I believe we should be more concerned about our online activity, because we are constantly being monitored, as Sting anticipated in 1983:´Every breath you take. Every move you make; I´ll be watching you´.    (S.M)

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