government surveillance pros and cons

In a debate about whether surveillance cameras should be put in public areas, like schools, stores, libraries, airports, bars, and clubs, some individuals feel more secure with the cameras, while other citizens and privacy advocates feel nervous about the fact that they are under surveillance every time they are out in public. With the advent of the Digital Era, many governments have adopted a policy of mass online surveillanceand data mining. Prism, the highly secretive government program that was brought to light last month by a government whistleblower, is an example of a much larger scale of recording and data. For starters, the government could put in place safeguards to ensure that the technology is being used for legitimate purposes. In a democratic state, the average law-abiding citizen will not be impacted by government surveillance efforts. Just login. Right to challenge and express a grievance: are there procedures for challenging the results, or for entering alternative data or interpretations into the record? The government can use the information for its own benefit. Finally, government surveillance can help create a safer and more secure environment. The NSA surveillance programPRISMis one of the most paradigmatic cases of a government spying on its citizens. With surveillance in place, it would have been much easier to determine what happened and what level of justice was necessary in that circumstance. People should have nothing that they are hiding so they should be fine with the government searching through their information It causes no physical harm or crosses any boundaries, yet keeps us safe and protected. Another form of abuse is voyeurism. Before the 9/11 attacks the NSA needed approval from a court, but after the attacks, they were given free reign to copy any data that possibly linked to terrorist activities. Also, it is useful in courtrooms to enable witnesses to remember what happened. 852 Words4 Pages. Catching criminals is one of the best benefits of surveillance cameras in public places. Edward Snowden has been blamed for disclosing this mass surveillance system and endangering national security. You cannot use low-quality cameras; you need high-quality cameras with both video and audio capability. Where theres a will, theres always a way. Therefore, it is in the countrys best interest for the NSA to continue to be allowed to supply the president with the valuable information he needs to make the best decisions possible. Under section 702 in the United States, there is no judicial participation in the targeting decisions made by the government. The cons of government surveillance are: Infringes on the privacy of the citizen Every citizen has the right to privacy. Discussing their address or contact information could even lead to charges. At the end of the day, its important to consider both the pros and cons of government surveillance before taking a stance. Appropriate vs. inappropriate goals: are the goals of the data collection legitimate? Any . Surveillance programs endanger the privacy of each Internet user. It is easy to access this data to look at what is going on with a spouse, a mistress, or someone who is a personal enemy. If you want to use it you simply need to, Wikileaks new release of CIA hacking documents casts new doubts on the ethics of government approach to privacy protection. In that regard, the NSA can be seen as a necessary evil for society. Many citizens share this view and would like their government to do whatever it takes to stop potential terrorist attacks. This is exactly why we have oversight committees in place! As our politics grows more populist and rhetoric grows sharper, the danger only increases. Moreover, any people in the area can be cleared as a precaution. There is an expense to consider with government surveillance. According to Sara Schwartz of the Huffington Post, the National Security Agency (NSA) has access to the metadata from all phone calls. But critics say it goes too far. That means you will have to face the disciplinary committee of your organization. In an analysis of the information gathered through FISA 702, the number of non-targeted communications are 10 times greater than the data that the government actually wants to analyze from a suspect. It is our view that the danger of a "slippery slope" scenario cannot be dismissed as paranoia - as a prominent example, the collection of biometric has expanded immensely in the past several years. When a person is under the surveillance of the government, they tend to be on their best behavior. The problem with this issue is that governments tend to collect and keep the information so that it becomes useful in a variety of ways. This disadvantage comes to us courtesy of the Upstream program from the NSA. Finally, it can be seen as a form of control. They can help solve crimes, despite not actually being able to prevent them. Public decision-making: was the decision to use a tactic arrived at through some public discussion and decision making process? Love the idea of being warm and secure, that's exactly what home should be. No, in as much as they are essential for future reference to the crime, they cannot actually prevent a theft. There is a time and place for government surveillance where the use is authorized to keep someone safe. Right of inspection: are people aware of the findings and how they were created? This can help prevent people from taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. These methods may however work in favor of the government and lead to discovery of criminal activity. The Pros And Cons Of Government Surveillance. Even when there are automated systems in place that can alert the authorities to suspicious behavior, conversation keywords, or specific subjects who could be problematic, the number of false positives in the system are always going to be greater than the real problems youre trying to catch. However, the NSA's violation of rights runs deeper. Awareness: are individuals aware that personal information is being collected, who seeks it and why? Under observation, we act less free, said Edward Snowden, which means we effectively are less free.. So, if criminals are captured by security cameras in public places, the local authority is able to recognize and catch them easier with facial recognition technology. Whenever there is a threat to human life that is predictable and eminent, then this technology can help to save lives. Hello! Where should we draw the line? If terrorists discover that they have no chance of hiding from the long arm of the law, they will be demoralized and deterred in their plans for evil. The reason that surveillance is accepted is because it can help governments find terrorists and can help solve crimes. Surveillance is, simply put, the observation and/or monitoring of a person. b) within a setting is the tactic broadly applied to all people or only to those less powerful or unable to resist c) if there are means of resisting the provision of personal information are these equally available, or restricted to the most privileged? When we install a home security camera, we gain increased house safety. Marc Thiessen from The Washington Post argues that there are only three ways that the government can collect the data that is needed to keep everyone in the country safe. Discover why natural gas is the better choice for your energy needs! Just like that, the main benefit of surveillance cameras in public spaces is also the increase in public safety. This outcome means that there will be more privacy invasions over time as AI and human investigators apply a mass-scrutiny policy to their review efforts. Drones can provide real-time surveillance as well. This issue could apply if youre having a conversation with someone who commits a crime without your knowledge. One-way observation is in some ways an expression of control. The insider abuse of this data also applies in the form of attorney-client privilege. Alternative means: are other less costly means available? With advanced tracking technology, the government can keep tabs on those who are up to no good and ensure that their activities are monitored and kept in check. The Pros And Cons Of Domestic Surveillance. List of the Pros of Government Surveillance 1. 7. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. The government justified it as part of the wider security strategy of thecountry. Even if the goal is to spy on foreigners only, the huge volumes of data cannot help but to bring in information from email exchanges, photographs, social medial sharing, and conversations. This creates a complete picture of the private life of an individual. One of the rules that many people are worried about is the surveillance law. Take, for example, when we are at home with the children versus when they are left unsupervised. Biomass: The renewable energy thats green, clean and here to stay! Why cant we go to the database? It is unfortunate that individual privacy has been compromised, but the present situation has left us with no choice. One said she saw the man on top walk This program was launched in 2007, following President Bush'sProtect America Act, to collect and store data from internet communications from at least 9 major internet companies in the United States, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Skype, Youtube, Yahoo!, Paltalk, AOL and Facebook. It is clear that the nation and the world is divided almost in the middle. one that ultimately led to Mr. Martins death came down to Mr. Zimmermans word. Clearly the memory of one or all of thoseneighbors had been spoiled by time, confusion and adrenaline. Boundary: does the technique cross a personal boundary without permission (whether involving coercion or deception or a body, relational or spatial border)? By monitoring peoples activities, the government can detect any suspicious behavior and investigate further. The Patriot Act in the United States authorized many of the programs that fall into this category in 2001. Its important to keep an open mind and consider both sides of the argument before taking a stance. There are also plenty of people who feel that the NSA has gone too far in its efforts, becoming more like a Big Brother than a helpful watchdog. Lets say a crime is taking place, and there are no police officers nearby. In an ideal world, we would never need our government to violate citizens' privacy by collecting personal information. In the hands of anindividual, the video camera can be a very empowering thing, Mr. Stanley said. By understanding both the potential benefits and drawbacks and keeping a close eye on how the technology is being used, we can ensure that it is being used for its intended purposes and is not abused. PRISM replaced another mass Internet data mining program, the Terrorist Surveillance Program, which was launched by the US government after the 9/11 terrorist attacks but heavily criticized and considered illegal. When the government is conducting surveillance on a mass scale, then it is impossible for the monitors to pay close attention to everything that happens in society. Uncovering why natural gas is essential to our lives! If calibrated properly, government surveillance might extirpate certain types of crime almost entirely. It is an authoritarian way to govern without the presence of a dictator to direct traffic. In the discussion of pros and cons of surveillance cameras in public places, the key information is as follows: In a public surveillance cameras good or bad debate, the first question is whether the surveillance cameras in public places are an invasion of privacy. Second, it can be seen as a form of censorship. Some people feel that the privacy of the normal citizen faces increasing threats from the growing surveillance apparatus. To put things into perspective, had the NSA not existed, we could have had fifty more Boston bombings over the last decade. A wave of public concern about invasive National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance followed. People tend to react to safety interventions instead of responding to them, which means their effort at harming someone is stopped before it can start. If we want security, we need to let our intelligence services do what they do best. The first thing to consider when it comes to government surveillance is the potential benefits it can bring. Thankfully, the NSA has already had great success in protecting the nation from harm. Just as having a stranger stare at you for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable and hostile, it is no different from being under constant surveillance, except that surveillance is often done surreptitiously and at the behest of some authority. Through PRISM, the NSA monitorand collectinternet communications from internet service providersusing Data Intercept Technology. Who does it? Copyright 2023 Reolink All Rights Reserved. With the advent of the Digital Era, many governments have adopted a policy of mass online surveillanceand data mining. Many people are complaining. Although the NSA does all of the information-gathering, it is ultimately the executive branch (specifically, the president) that makes the important decisions regarding national security. Therefore, how to balance public safety and personal privacy needs to be considered further. The most obvious advantage of government surveillance is the huge reduction in crime. Drug cartels have access to military-grade arsenals, and are willing to go to brutal lengths to enforce control. Records show that he used the system illegally at least 163 times before he was caught (Mark 2007). Do we really want to return to an East German model? More so, ones that can facilitatefacial recognition. When you are on camera committing a crime, then it becomes more.of a challenge to find a successful result in our adversarial system of justice. Foreign governments have demonstrated their willingness to deploy . Watch Edward Snowden TedTalk on how take back the internet: There are many pros and cons associated with the use of mass internet surveillance. Information used for original vs. other unrelated purposes: is the personal information used for the reasons offered for its collection and for which consent may have been given and does the data stay with the original collector, or does it migrate elsewhere? The world is full of a variety of conversations that makes monitoring all of them an imprecise effort at best. When the government is conducting surveillance on a mass scale, then it is impossible for the monitors to pay close attention to everything that happens in society. Many schools in the UK collect fingerprints of children as young as six without parental consent (Doward 2006), and fingerprinting in American schools has been widespread since the mid-eighties (NYT National Desk 1983). The way in which the NSA works is to request personal data from these third parties rather than directly from individuals. Top 8 Pros and Cons of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places - Reolink Blog Store Products Battery-Powered Security Cameras Argus Series (5G/2.4G WiFi Connection) Argus 3 Pro Argus PT (5/2.4GHz) Argus Series (2.4G WiFi Connection) Argus 3 2K Lets say a gunman appears and fires randomly. When data is collected, whether such data remains used for its stated purpose after its collection has been called into question, even by government officials: the European Data Protection Supervisor has acknowledged that even when two databases of information are created for specific, distinct purposes, in a phenomenon known as 'function creep' they could be combined with one another to form a third with a purpose for which the first two were not built (eGov Monitor Weekly 2006). Third, it can help stop fraud and identity theft. This can be a major concern for those who value freedom and democracy. Congrats you just reached a new level on Netivist. From the words with double meanings to metaphors that alarm systems unintentionally, there is a lot of data to sort through. Know-how about surveillance cameras is vital. Are there means for discovering violations and penalties to encourage responsible surveillant behavior? There are different points of view and schools of thought related to this issue. Michael Shelden, author of Orwell: The Authorized Biography, told NPR earlier this month that todayssurveillancesociety is just like the book. In this article, well be exploring what they are and what they mean for the public. Coal: a finite resource with endless possibilities! Its also important to remember that the technology can be used for both good and bad. You can always see clearly in retrospect. Todays technological capabilities take surveillance to new levels; no longer are spyglasses and "dropping" from the eaves of a roof necessary to observe individuals - the government can and does utilize methods to observe all the behavior and actions of people without the need for a spy to be physically present. 5. In addition, allowing surreptitious surveillance of one form, even limited in scope and for a particular contingency, encourages government to expand such surveillance programs in the future. Now consider that, given current technology, the government already has the ability to track a known target's movements to a reasonable degree, and has easy access to information such as one's purchasing habits, online activities, phone conversations, and mail. in control of that recording and data?. During the trial, the statements of the eyewitnesses differed, creating uncertainty about the sequence of events. It expands the government's ability to search private property without notice to the owner. These government surveillance pros and cons go beyond the idea that such an action would provide justice for all at the cost of having zero privacy. Negative effects on surveillors and third parties: are there negative effects on those beyond the subject? This right is infringed upon when a group of people is constantly watching your every move, tracking your movements or listening to your conversations. Therefore, as they may seem, they help both currently and in the future. For example, if the government is using it for legitimate purposes, then it might be more acceptable. Equality-inequality regarding availability and application: a) is the means widely available or restricted to only the most wealthy, powerful or technologically sophisticated? Obviously, no one is defending the right . Another pro is that it can help in the fight against terrorism. Its important to consider both sides of the issue before taking a stance. Is the crime rate in your neighborhood high, then you need to follow the example of thesurveillance law? If you feel this user's conduct is unappropriate, please report this comment and our moderaters will review its content and deal with this matter as soon as possible. When you are walking down the street, driving in your car, or hanging out with boyfriends and girlfriends, you will be monitored with cameras placed in public. This right is infringed upon when a group of people is constantly watching your every move, tracking your movements or listening to your conversations. This is a clear case of the privacy vs security dilemma. The government scans the information that flows over the internet to see if there is information about foreign intelligence targets. Refer to the top 8 pros and cons of public video security cameras to compare the good and bad points. Even though these issues may not seem like they are connected at first, each story represents a growing movement toward, or away from, a society that features surveillance. Feel free to share your ideas by leaving a comment below! Thanks, Internet surveillance helps to detect threats but can infringe citizens' privacy, and the laws which protect it. The pros are: When citizens are monitored twenty four hours a day, they feel safer and more protected than when they are not. By doing so, we can ensure that the technology is used for its intended purposes and is not abused. Public surveillance cameras help you stay safe while clubbing, shopping, and traveling. Or taking a kitchen knife and stabbing random passersby? In some way, it has helped to catch the criminals in society, but it doesnt provide privacy. While there are potential benefits and drawbacks, its important to look at the bigger picture. Terrorist organisations such as the so-called Islamic State aim to cause massive loss of life, and they're not restrained by ethical or moral considerations. (Section 215) Secret searches. A car tracker installed in your vehicle will not harm you nor will a bug installed in your phone. With the advent of the Digital Era, many governments have adopted a policy of, and fraud. On the surface, it's clear that surveillance of such scope and power violates the protection against unreasonable search and seizure as established in the Fourth Amendment. Be impacted by government surveillance can help in the United States, there is a clear of! To government surveillance efforts of mass online surveillanceand data mining and decision making process people from taking advantage of surveillance. Privacy vs security dilemma has been blamed for disclosing this mass surveillance system and endangering national.... 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