Types of Surveillance Technology

Currently there are many types of Surveillance technologies. The most widely used from of surveillance technology are video cameras. According the movie “Look,” the average American is caught on camera 200 times a day. In the last 30 years, surveillance cameras have become a staple for every public building. Even many private homeowners use cameras. Unfortunately the main reasons for this are because of theft, vandalism, and property damage. With hard evidence that a surveillance camera provides, criminals can be sure to get caught and [hopefully] choose not to participate in those illegal activities again. There are some good applications for surveillance cameras, such as cameras used to monitor small children to make sure nothing bad happens.

Other surveillance technology includes wiretapping into communications systems. This form of surveillance can allow a party, such as the government to gain private information. Of course there are ethical implications of doing this. Radar and satellite systems are another type of technology. Radar and satellite are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. An example of the uses of satellite surveillance technology is “Google Earth.” Using Google Earth it is possible to pinpoint any place in the world and view it topographically or in picture format. In Google Earth there are limitations on the zoom in feature, but one can only assume that satellites have the power to zoom in much farther with much higher quality.

Another large division of surveillance technology deals with ways to capture and use the surveillance. For example, innovative ways to attach microscopic video cameras to things like pens and t-shirts are being developed. In today’s world it is getting harder and harder to know if you are really “alone.”

History

I will start out my blog with a brief history of surveillance technology. There has always been a desire to gain knowledge about others through investigative means. When asked, there is no real 100 percent way of seeing if someone is telling the truth. Concrete evidence is the only way to prove something one way or another. Dating back to the beginning of time, people have been given jobs to watch over others in order to be a witness in case something goes wrong. For example, prison guards watch over inmates to make sure fights don’t start up, prohibit them from scheming, or to prohibit them from escaping. Guard towers were invented to make this job easier. Although the invention of the guard tower is not seen as a technological advance in surveillance, it is similar in the way that it makes the job of surveillance of inmates easier and more effective.

Many different entities have the need for surveillance, such as the government, companies, and individual persons.
The purpose of government is to protect the well being and rights of its citizens. Surveillance can be an effective tool in helping government achieve that goal. The problem is that at the same time surveillance can help government protect its people, it can violate the privacy and fundamental rights of individuals and companies alike. The issue between surveillance technology and privacy rights is one of the hot button issues of today’s world, and will be discussed further in subsequent blog entries.

Intro

My Blog topic will be Surveillance Technology. I find this an interesting topic, because of the many impacts surveillance can have on our lives. Some aspects of the topic include government use of surveillance and surveillance and privacy (ie. In dressing rooms to see if people are stealing clothes). With technologies like Google Earth easily accessible, I believe that surveillance technology will be a large issue politically and personally.