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.”