Technology and the Invasion of Privacy Essay

​A major discussion found in police departments today are the use of body cameras. Like every major decision, there are pros and cons that must be discussed. Some agree that body cameras “reduce misconduct” within the law enforcement community, as well as providing a “neutral third eye” for proof of actions and conversations. (policemisconduct.com & policeone.com). Others believe the cost and complexity of storing; along with the invasion of privacy is huge issue. This essay will discuss the positive and negative qualities regarding the use of body cameras and how they affect the community.

Technology has benefited developed countries in numerous amounts of ways. Most recently, body cameras has seen use in a few U.S. law enforcement agencies across the United States and has improved public relations for those police departments. However, many police officers and lawmakers question the cost and efficiency of such devices and whether the citizens should be placed under constant surveillance when near a law enforcement officer. Whether or not body-worn cameras should be required to be implemented into law enforcement agencies across America is debatable and the decision is dependent on the factors of public safety, cost efficiency, and whether body cameras will serve a practical use or not.

I was very surprised when I first heard that police officers in certain states of the United States were going to be required to wear body cameras. I was surprised because I thought many people would be against the intrusion of their privacy, and the fears of government intrusion would normally bring fierce debates against the authorities. However, I became even more confused when it became clear that the cameras were not for the surveillance of

Privacy is an especially equivocal idea, in particularly because invasion of privacy is a concept that is arguably questionable. Privacy has been defined as the right to be left alone without unwarranted intrusion by government, media, or other institutions or individuals. While this definition serves as a quick start to the right of privacy, there are still several interpretations as to what may or may not constitute as an invasion of privacy. What one person may believe to be an innocent curiosity, another may feel as though it is an deliberate invasion of privacy. Often these disputes make their way into courtrooms and are subjected to controversy and evaluation.

Technological surveillance is used in a wide field of areas from wiretapping, hacking, bugging, electronic tracking, video surveillance and so on, but, “when used by the government, technological surveillance creates a particularly dramatic threat to the privacy of individual citizens” (p. 354), although this is uncertain to the government if it is indeed goes against citizen’s privacy. Technology advances so quickly, that the law cannot keep up with the swift changes.

The thing that jumped out the most while reading the article was the invasion of privacy. However, the software installed on the cars to monitor their activity is similar to the software that is installed on company computers to monitor their activity as well. This is done as a means to safeguard the assets to ensure they are being used properly for business purposes. This software is used to improve efficiency of the use of the asset, and protect against risk of the item being used improperly or illegally. The monitoring software acts as an internal control for the equipment use.

College students of today all exist in an age of growing interest and usage of the internet. We all use the internet for various different reasons; writing papers, studying, Netflix, Youtube, social media, etc. With this expanding network of students, it should be apparent for everyone that they know the ways and knowledge that is essential to protect their privacy from those who want to strip it away.

According to Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary, surveillance is defined as a “close kept watch over someone or something (as by a detective).” Surveillance has been used ever since the days of, “Follow that cab!” From their primitive state, surveillance techniques and technology have evolved. Policing agencies no longer need to use methods of surveillance such as listening through walls, looking through windows and over fences, and even sifting through a suspect’s garbage. Because of the continuous development of new technology, policing agencies can hear, see, and track almost everyone and everything. As more and more technology is developed, who is to

We have all experienced it. The tingles down your spine while your sixth sense picks up someone’s harsh eyes scanning you. You are being watched. As the little hairs stand up on your neck and the chill of judgment floods your body, you choke on the insecurity that comes over you. Some break out in a nervous sweat and drown themselves in doubt; others do not hesitate to send beams of criticism back. Many stare with innocent intentions while others purposely hope to provoke anxiety. However, if you did not know that someone’s cruel eyes were on you, would it be just as bothersome? Since 2000, internet security has been an issue that many feel is a violation of their privacy. This controversial topic has hit almost all newspapers with

Privacy threats are currently the biggest threat to National Security today. The threats are not only concerning to the government, however. An alarming 92% of Americans are concerned that the power grid may be vulnerable to a cyber-attack (Denholm). Although this is a more recent development to the cyber threats we have experienced, this is not the first time that privacy threats have stepped into the limelight as people are forced to watch their every online move.

In the New Utopia, surveillance cameras will no longer be consider an act of violation of civil liberties or an invasion of privacy, but it will be the norm; surveillance cameras will be consider no different than what we nowadays consider a stop sign, a traffic light, or even the posted speed limit on the road way. To be able to stop crimes from happening, there is a need for law enforcement officers to be able to predict that a crime will occur in order to prevent it from happening. As human nature, we always tend to push the limits, if we can commit a crime and get away with it, for most that will may just be enough them to motivate them to follow through.

In the article “A Surveillance Society” by William E. Thompson and Joseph V. Hickey, the authors explains the growing trends of surveillance cameras, impact it has and how advanced the technology is becoming in using surveillance in our society. Surveillance started with a handful of trouble spots. Now over millions of surveillance cameras and devices, have been installed, all across the country. Since 911, surveillance technology increased and these devices are more socially accepted since the attack. New digital surveillance service is so much more sophisticated than even a few years ago. These high tech devices are becoming more common and people are more comfortable having new technology. Police and Military devices are also impressive.

Technological Surveillance In an age where instant communication and technology provide easy and ready access to information, the society and the individual is caught between two very controversial principles- open information and privacy. The perceptions and expectations of privacy are rapidly changing as a result of current developments in surveillance technologies. The question is are these new surveillance technologies endangering the values and morals of our democratic society, the society we have worked for many centuries to achieve?

Today, individuals are sacrificing privacy in order to feel safe. These sacrifices have made a significant impact on the current meaning of privacy, but may have greater consequences in the future. According to Debbie Kasper in her journal, “The Evolution (Or Devolution) of Privacy,” privacy is a struggling dilemma in America. Kasper asks, “If it is gone, when did it disappear, and why?”(Kasper 69). Our past generation has experienced the baby boom, and the world today is witnessing a technological boom. Technology is growing at an exponential rate, thus making information easier to access and share than ever before. The rapid diminishing of privacy is leaving Americans desperate for change.

The digital age provides individuals with numerous ways of innovative opportunities like recording data in an effective manner, electronic banking, online shopping, by violating privacy. Despite what might be expected, the national and global security framework needs components to check programmers and outsider interceptors, who can access delicate data and information, placed in various divisions of the financial framework. These outsider interceptors can then break-in remotely to harm or get access to passwords and usernames.