How serious is the threat from abuses in the use of new technologies?
The recent days have realized new technology gradually becoming part of our daily lives. Many sectors have not been left out as the nations of the world consciously or unconsciously strive to be modernized. The sad part of this is that alongside this cutting edge conveniences and technology comes a number of downsides. Today, many nations have embraced the new surveillance technology such as the recently developed HD closed –circuit television (CCTV) that has gone overboard, interfering with the many attempts to monitor infringement of individual’s privacy. Such is the case that high definition cameras with the ability to detect and monitor an individual’s face from distance are now used to monitor people’s activities without their knowledge , a fact that conflicts with the Human Right Act that seeks to protect “ family and private life.”
How should new technologies be regulated? Can they be regulated?
In the wake of the said abuse of technology, the governments need to device mechanism that will ensure this vice is tackled and rooted out before it spreads beyond control. Here, the relevant authorities such as the institutions that make law and monitor its adherence need to come clear on limits of acceptable surveillance even with the fast changing technologies. The law protecting individuals against GPS technologies and any other future technologies threatening their privacy need to be revised bearing in mind that some of them where enacted at a time when people had no clue on what the future held as far as technology is concerned.
Is it sometimes necessary to sacrifice a few freedoms to protect national security and to ensure the long-term viability of civil liberty?
Even with the rising outcry on the abuse of technology, we cannot give a blind eye to the fact that there are instances when it is deemed necessary to overlook some personal freedom just to protect national security and maintain the long-term viability of civil liberty. World security is under serious threat with the ever increasing number of leaderless and decentralized groups of subversives, terrorists, dissidents and extremists. To counter the activities of these groups, the use of surveillance technologies find its use. At this point it is important to note that as long as the surveillance is done for the good of the nation, it is worthy having it.
Should the same protocols be used for domestic electronic surveillance and foreign surveillance? Why?
With proper laws acting as control to avert its abuse the same protocol will prove beneficial with regard to its use for domestic electronic surveillance and foreign surveillance. This follows the fact that growth of any nation greatly depends on the level of security within and without its boundaries.
What is the likelihood that new surveillance technologies will be used as tools of repression by authoritarian regimes in the near future?
Learning from the past, it is clear that a lot has to be done now if prevention of abuse of the new surveillance technology by authoritarian regimes in the near future is of any importance. For instance, it is reported that there was a wide spread surveillance abuse in America during the FBI’s Cointelpro activities that aimed political dissidents especially those from civil right movements and political left. In this regard, it is almost certain that the surveillance technology will become a tool of repression used by authoritarian regimes in the near future if proper laws to monitor its use are not implemented.
REFERENCE
Gilliom .J. (1996). Surveillance, Privacy, and the Law: Employee Drug Testing and the Politics of Social Control. Michigan: Michigan Press.
Petersen, J.K. (2012). Handbook of Surveillance TechnologiesAuthorEdition3. Chicago: CRC Press.
Petersen, J. K. (2001). Understanding Surveillance Technologies: Spy Devices, Their Origins & Applications. Chicago: CRC Press, 2001
