Engraved on the stairwell of the Statue of Liberty is Benjamin Franklin's quote: "Those who can give up essential liberty to gain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Recent reactions to terrorist attacks provide examples of our country beginning to mortgage freedom and privacy under the guise of protection in times of crisis. Warrantless searches and seizures carried out in the interest of national security are becoming increasingly common. The balance between civil liberties and national security measures remains a delicate balance that should not tip in a direction that leads to the destruction of the original meaning of the Fourth Amendment. As our nation has grown and endured crises, the scales have tipped. While there are many schools of thought and strong opinions regarding this issue, in today's America the current “war on terrorism” may have allowed our government to peer too closely into the lives of ordinary citizens. Similarly, the Edward Snowden scandal exposed extensive and all-encompassing data collection by the National Security Agency (NSA). This revelation has brought out from the shadows how online and telephone information remains unprotected from the government's prying eyes and ears. Recent cases of data collection in the pursuit of terrorists demonstrate clear violations of the Fourth Amendment rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Individual rights should not be violated without cause, consent or a search warrant under the pretext of security. This problem is not new. During the colonial period, citizens of the thirteen colonies suffered unfair treatment resulting from the Writs of Assistance which granted British law enforcement agencies broad and nearly unlimited powers over... middle of paper... ed. The NSA now collects data, through many means: Google, phone conversations, and other social media venues. In fact, there are few limits to how much personal digital data is collected or observed and what purpose that information serves. Understandably, then, recent events have led many modern Americans to wonder whether the government has gone too far in its efforts to protect us when the government itself has violated our constitutional rights. Our Constitution established, in part, to protect the liberties of individual citizens and prevent the recurrence of relief orders and the tyranny of an intrusive government. Our country would do well to heed Benjamin Franklin's call for freedom first and foremost, even in the digital age. The continued existence of the Fourth Amendment offers hope that balance can once again be redressed. Word count: 742