Privacy at Risk: The New Government Surveillance and the Fourth Amendment

by Christopher Slobogin

Overview

Without our consent and often without our knowledge, the government can constantly monitor many of our daily activities, using closed circuit TV, global positioning systems, and a wide array of other sophisticated technologies. With just a few keystrokes, records containing our financial information, phone and e-mail logs, and sometimes even our medical histories can be readily accessed by law enforcement officials. As Christopher Slobogin explains in Privacy at Risk, these intrusive acts of surveillance are subject to very little regulation.

Applying the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures, Slobogin argues that courts should prod legislatures into enacting more meaningful protection against government overreaching.  In setting forth a comprehensive framework meant to preserve rights guaranteed by the Constitution without compromising the government’s ability to investigate criminal acts, Slobogin offers a balanced regulatory regime that should intrigue everyone concerned about privacy rights in the digital age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226762944
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	09/15/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	274
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Christopher Slobogin is the Edwin A. Heafey, Jr. Visiting Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and the Stephen C. O’Connell Professor of Law at the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law.      

Table of Contents

Preface

I. Surveillance and the Fourth Amendment

     Chapter 1. Introduction: Surveillance Techniques and the Law

     Chapter 2. A Fourth Amendment Framework

II. Physical Surveillance        Chapter 3. Peeping Techno-Toms

     Chapter 4. Public Privacy: Surveillance of Public Places and the Right to Anonymity

     Chapter 5. Implementing the Right to Public Anonymity
III. Transaction Surveillance

     Chapter 6. Subpoenas and Privacy

     Chapter 7. Regulating Transaction Surveillance by the Government

     Chapter 8. Conclusion: A Different Fourth Amendment?

Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

The discussion of surveillance techniques is excellent, the legal analysis is sound, and the case for Fourth Amendment reform compelling. Recommended.”

Choice - D. E. Smith

"Slobogin thoroughly and convincingly analyzes the legal evidence and suggests methods for legislatures to pass better protections for individuals, while at the same time ensuring effective law enforcement. His work is a vital contribution to current discussions that affect not only the legal field, but political and cultural arenas as well."

Virginia Quarterly Review - John Readey

"Slobogin thoroughly and convincingly analyzes the legal evidence and suggests methods for legislatures to pass better protections for individuals, while at the same time ensuring effective law enforcement. His work is a vital contribution to current discussions that affect not only the legal field, but political and cultural arenas as well."

— John Readey

Virginia Quarterly Review

“The discussion of surveillance techniques is excellent, the legal analysis is sound, and the case for Fourth Amendment reform compelling. Recommended.”—Choice

— D. E. Smith

Choice