287 - Privacy vs Government Interest

Most Americans believe they have a right to privacy. Many Americans want governments to protect them from "bad actors". What happens when our right to privacy collides with our desire for government to protect us? A recent Supreme Court case out of California involves the question of how far government can go to protect us. Specifically, is it necessary for governments to collect data about citizens in order to find criminals? As William Pitt (the Younger) said "Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom." While this case deals with California law, we should be asking bigger question. Does "government interest" trump our rights and the Constitutions of our states and the United States?