| |
| author |
Natalie Lorenzo
| | title |
The Right to Privacy
| | abstract |
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, the right to privacy in the United
States underwent a significant transformation, particularly in the context of national security
policy. This thesis asks: how have political actors and institutions shaped the legal construction
of privacy rights in the post-9/11 United States? In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the USA
PATRIOT Act marked a foundational shift toward expanded surveillance authority under the
justification of counterterrorism. In subsequent years, the Supreme Court and lower courts
reinforced this trajectory through rulings such as Maryland v. King, Holder v. Humanitarian Law
Project, and United States v. Flores-Montano, which collectively reflect a pattern of deference to
state security interests in privacy-related cases. In addition to many rulings in the Supreme Court
favoring privacy, the legislative branch also was shaping privacy rights through reauthorizing
aspects of the Patriot Act that were initially set to sunrise. Finally the rhetoric in the executive
branch also influenced the right to privacy in the years following 9/11. This can be seen through
President George Bush's support of the initial Patriot Act and later presidents support of
reauthorization. Another example of executive influences comes from both President Obama and
President Trump advocating for the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act which allows for warrantless surveillance of foreign threats. Overall this thesis
shows how 9/11 resulted in the government infringing on civil liberties such as privacy rights
through justification of protecting national security.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.A. (2026)
|
| advisor |
Chelsea Ebin
|
| full text | NLorenzo.pdf |
| |
