There are a number of things wrong with that story including the nature of the spyware program, the channel by which the FBI received approval for using it, and that they’ve been using it for years. But the issue I find most frustrating is that the FBI was able to install a spyware program on this person’s computer without their knowing. As a citizen of the United States, I enjoy and respect the freedom which our constitution allows. I also understand that keeping peace among citizens and enforcing the law in an increasingly technological era requires new tools and ways of thinking then ever before. So, in respect to our existing law, there is probably nothing wrong with what the FBI did. I just feel frustrated that the suspect’s operating system allowed the FBI to snoop around without his knowing.

It may be that I am paranoid about my privacy and freedom, but I have the right to be. And there is something I can do about it: use an alternative operating system like Ubuntu which provides me with improved security and peace of mind.