This week I was in a local retail establishment when I noticed workmen installing new surveillance cameras. This is nothing new. Retail businesses have used video surveillance to monitor activity in their stores for some years.
In fact it is a given that in most any store, you are under the gaze of a camera from the time you enter until you leave. Many of the larger stores also have surveillance of their parking lots as well. The only place where you might not be under a camera is the restrooms or dressing rooms. This is by no means assured as there are now cameras so small as to be virtually undetectable.
It is not just in businesses. I took a walk in downtown Stockton and was able to spot a half-dozen cameras within 10 minutes. These cameras were watching public areas streets, sidewalks and a public plaza. It is safe that in most urban public areas you are under the gaze of at least 1 camera.
On road there are traffic cameras watching. Every time you use your bank ATM smile, you are on camera.
These cameras, do provide a public safety benefit in that law enforcement can use the video as an investigative tool. Here in California, CalTrans uses traffic cameras to monitor freeways for problems such as accidents, backups, and other road hazards.
What concerns me is the potential for abuse. Especially, when surveillance video is combined with facial recognition software. With that you can literally be tracked anywhere you go. Not just criminals, but everyone.
Add this to the ability to locate you using your cell phone and you can be found almost anywhere.
Most people I have talked to have the attitude, If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. For the most part I agree. However, the potential for abuse exists. We need to update or laws to prevent, as much as possible, abuse of the surveillance technology.
No comments:
Post a Comment