In many ways, technology is evolving faster than we can keep up. The times are always changing, but these days, it seems like they do so exponentially. To say we live in a digital age understates the reality. Technology, from smart phones to computers to tablets, has invaded every area of our lives. Maybe this is a good thing, maybe it’s not. Time will tell.

The problem, though, is that technology is moving so fast, we’re having a hard time grasping the consequences of it, especially from a legal and moral stance. Yes, the advent of computers and the Internet has made incredible things possible. But it’s also opened up a number of new concerns, ones we need to start grappling with immediately.

Public privacy is perhaps the largest. I don’t know anyone who wasn’t disturbed by the news that the National Security Agency has been monitoring the phone calls of and collecting data on millions of Americans. Regardless of political party, that kind of government overreach is alarming.

It’s not just tapping phones and reading emails, though. The federal government has gone to great lengths in recent years to collect as much information as it can on its citizens. We witnessed this last year with departments in our own state colluding with federal agencies to glean gun ownership records on law-abiding citizens.

I understand that collecting and transmitting data is a necessary part of government. Without, we wouldn’t know how to allocate resources for state services and aid. However, the lengths the federal government is willing to go to get this data, and the ways it skirts the law to do so, are at odds with some of the deepest beliefs enshrined in our constitution.

That’s why I filed Senate Bill 819 this session. The legislation contains a provision known as the Fourth Amendment Protection Act, which would prohibit any state agency or employee, and any corporation or contractor providing services to the state, from providing personal digital or electronic data without a warrant for that particular person.

The legislation also pushes back against the federal government’s attempts to gather as much personal information on our students as it can. Senate Bill 819 would require a parent to give written consent for the release of private information to the school.

It also prevents schools from implementing assessment tests that collect psychological data, along with setting strict limits on exactly what information schools provide to outside agencies, among other provisions.

Ultimately, the bill attempts to wrestle back some of the personal rights the government seems determined to ignore or trample. We are living in a rapidly changing time. Our technology is now capable of things unimaginable just a decade ago. As we move forward into an uncertain future, I believe it is critical we make every effort to protect citizens from government intrusion and the violation of their personal privacy.

In other news, the Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting a number of free events for residents in our area, including:

• Native Plant and Garden Seminar
  Location: Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
  Date: Saturday, March 8
  Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  
  The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Cape Girardeau County Master Gardeners are hosting the ninth annual native plant seminar in March this year. Learn how to “Create a Multi-Tasking Native Landscape” with keynote speaker and horticulturist Cindy Gilberg. Register early as seating is limited for each session. Registration ends February 28.
  
• Primitive Skills
  Location: Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
  Date: Saturday, March 15
  Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  
  This seminar will teach participants about primitive tools and skills used for survival hundreds of years ago, including historic pump drills, working cordage and making tools from cane.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Wayne Wallingford, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email at wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov/wallingford.