Privacy In Turkey :: Research Private Essays

Privacy In Turkey Introduction What is privacy? Who decides what is private and what is not? Is it acceptable if someone interferes or discloses personal information? These are some of the questions that we face everyday in our lives. It is mostly up to the individual to keep some information private but what happens when the flow of information occurs based on the trust to the underlying infrastructure, such as phone lines? Should we, as individuals, expect that every phone conversation is being monitored or as confidential? It is known that knowledge of information is vital, especially in the 21st century where the timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality of information mean everything. In 1988, United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights Article 17 states that integrity and confidentiality of messages should be guaranteed; despite this fact, many countries, primarily the US, have involved in an effort to limit individual privacy and improve the ability of governmental agencies to listen in personal conversations.1 As an example of such activities, this paper will provide information regarding an actual case that took place in capital city of Turkey, Ankara in 1999. The case will be followed by some facts that will be relevant; then an analysis from different ethical perspectives on this issue will take place. This paper will conclude by depicting my personal ideas and reasoning on the ethical aspects of this particular privacy case. Privacy Case In 1999, Ankara police was sued because of listening in personal telephone conversations of Prime Minister.2 It was later discovered that, Prime Minister was not the only person whose phone lines were tapped, an additional 962 people’s private conversations were interfered with also.3 Among the victims there were governors, businessmen, attorneys at law, and journalists. This was a much publicized incident due to its scope and effect on the privacy and notion of privacy for individuals. As a result, Interior Ministry of Turkey was sued for invading privacy of individuals but Interior Ministry declined these allegations and stated that nothing really bad happened at the end.2 None of the information that was gathered during the eavesdropping sessions was disclosed. In addition to suing of Interior Ministry, some of the officers from Ankara Police Department were sued and some of them were convicted.3 Facts In Turkey, there are laws that are similar to the US Fourth Amendment. Individuals have expectation of privacy. Article 20 of Turkish Constitute states that the privacy of individual and family life is protected under the law.