Can We Trust Online Government Services?

As our government becomes more technologically advance and more and more government services involve online options, features, or components, the issue that bothers me the most is the privacy of constituents information, moreover, my own information.

Any time I have to use an online service I'm always cautious and concerned about the possibility of identity theft. Most people automatically think credit card fraud when you mention identity theft, but with government services being online you have to consider identity theft and privacy in terms of:

• Employment Information
• Social Security
• Tax Returns
• Medical Records
• Criminal, Police or Court Records
• Illegal/Legal Immigration and Miscellaneous Government Documents

With hackers abound online, you can never be too sure that your information won't be intercepted during input, an authorized individual is receiving your information, or that your information won't be leaked. I've seen many instances online where celebrities or other individuals medical, criminal or court records have been leaked. The aforementioned records are sensitive information that should be protected at ALL times.

In respect to the issue of privacy, I would hope that in the future government officials treat constituents personal information as if it was matter of urgent national security.  Hopefully, the government will develop an advanced security program that would detect an intrusion or breach of constituents privacy. Also, draft an online privacy bill and develop tougher laws for those who commit crimes against constituents privacy.

As for now, to remedy the situation of an invasion of constituents online privacy, we can either remain cautious of the information we share online even with our government officials or choose to access government services solely in-person (face-to-face contact) with government officials.