The article presents a comprehensive look at current state of national and international laws governing surveillance and the balancing concern of privacy. New technologies emerge daily to enhance a government's ability to monitor the activities of its citizens. It is imperative that legal structures be put in place to provide for a balance between the ability an need of a government to protect the national security, and the right and expectation of privacy of individuals. The conclusions of this article, quoted below, highlights the pressing need for continued efforts by internatioanl lawyers to develop the laws in this field.