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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Security Hinders Freedom

...But security maintains order.

In this small aspect: The company I work for has two main entrances: the front and back. Each entrance has a building front desk receptionist and would be security officer manned at the location. All the other side entrances are locked. I'm sure this is the case for all buildings. On a working weekday, people who work in the building can enter and exit at both entrances. However, on the weekends the back entrance is locked because of staffing is only provided infront. I work weekends also and I drive to work. The back entrance is where all the parking is located. It's locked, so on weekends I have to walk all the way around the building with very long streets in order to get into the building. Unfortunate for everyone else that works weekends also has to walk all the way around the building, about two and a half long streets just because of those security (or we can be blame it on staffing) reasons. The fact that the back entrance is locked on the weekends is a deterent that is a hassle to me.

Mid range aspect: About two and a half years ago, I owned a BMW. All modern German (that goes for a handful of other countries as well) cars are required to have an Immobiliser installed. An Immobiliser is basically a electronic device in the car that won't start it if a code in the key doesn't match the encryption in the electronic device in the car. I fount this out the hard way when the Immobiliser light went on as the battery died one winter and I couldn't get a new battery installed for a few days. Basically after a few days when I got the new battery installed the car not having a charge for a few days set off the BMW's Immobiliser. Fortunately for me, the light did go away. However, I have read stories where people could not start their car because of this issue. They had to go to the mandatory trouble of going to the dealer to have a copy of an encrypted key sent from Germany in order to hopefully get their car started again. It's purpose is to deter theft. Yet, sophisticated thieves have fount a way around it. So does the troublesome aspect out weigh the benefit of it's intent? I think it does.

Mass aspect: Airport security can be a bit of a nuisance if you don't learn to keep it simple. I once had a bottle of 32oz Cocoa Butter in my carry-on because I was traveling with a healing injury. The security lady delayed my bag and sent it through again, then explained in a very rude way that such a larger liquid item was not allowed. Yes, the situation wasn't an ordeal but a minor hassle. This was years ago but everyone once in a while, I read in the news of a similar incident where people are harassed or violated of their rights because it doesn't fit into security protocol.

I understand the need for safety to filter out what shouldn't be there but security features only hinder and block freedom to be as we are.