Interception of communications

Denial of right to private correspondence

Nature

The intentional interception of communications whether by mail, phone, computer, facsimile, telex, or telegraph or listening in on private conversation is a violation of the right to privacy and a crime.

Background

The interception of communications emerged as a global concern with the advent of telegraphy and radio in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when states recognized the strategic value of monitoring messages. Its significance intensified during the World Wars and the Cold War, as intelligence agencies developed sophisticated interception capabilities. The digital era has since amplified awareness, with revelations such as the 2013 Snowden disclosures highlighting the pervasive and often clandestine nature of global surveillance activities.

Incidence

Interception of communications has become a pervasive global issue, affecting individuals, corporations, and governments across continents. With the proliferation of digital technologies and widespread use of mobile devices, incidents of unauthorized surveillance, wiretapping, and data interception have increased dramatically. Both state and non-state actors exploit vulnerabilities in communication networks, leading to significant breaches of privacy and security on a worldwide scale.
In 2023, the Pegasus spyware scandal in India highlighted the ongoing threat of communication interception. Investigations revealed that journalists, activists, and political figures were targeted through their mobile devices, raising serious concerns about privacy violations and the misuse of surveillance technologies.

Claim

Interception of communications is a grave and urgent problem that threatens the very foundation of privacy and trust in our society. Unauthorized surveillance undermines personal freedoms, exposes sensitive information, and erodes public confidence in institutions. If left unchecked, it paves the way for abuse of power and widespread manipulation. Protecting the confidentiality of our communications is not just important—it is absolutely essential for safeguarding democracy and individual rights.

Counter-claim

The so-called “problem” of interception of communications is vastly overstated. In today’s world, most people willingly share personal information online, and the vast majority of intercepted data is irrelevant or harmless. Law enforcement needs these tools to keep society safe, and the average citizen faces no real threat. Worrying about intercepted communications is a distraction from far more pressing issues—this is simply not an important problem in modern society.