On Wednesday, FBI Director James Comey spoke at a Boston College cybersecurity conference and warned that Americans should not expect to have “absolute privacy” in America.
“There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America; there is no place outside of judicial reach,” Director Comey said.
“Even our communications with our spouses, with our clergy members, with our attorneys are not absolutely private in America,” he continued. “In appropriate circumstances, a judge can compel any one of us to testify in court about those very private communications.”
Comey added that Americans “have a reasonable expectation of privacy in our homes, in our cars, in our devices.”
“It is a vital part of being an American,” he continued. “The government cannot invade our privacy without good reason, reviewable in court.”
Comey added that neither privacy nor security should be comprimised at the expense of the other.
“We all value privacy. We all value security,” Comey said. “We should never have to sacrifice one for the other.”
“Our founders struck a bargain that is at the center of this amazing country of ours and has been for over two centuries,” he added.
As he opened his speech, Comey said that he plans on finishing out the full 10-year term that is expected of FBI Directors.
“You’re stuck with me for about another 6 1/2 years, and so I’d love to be invited back again,” he said.
You can watch the whole event below:
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