Big Brother

Big Brother

Introduction

Electronic surveillance is highly regarded these days. The new technology can prove to be beneficial in many aspects. However, some people fear the chances of intrusion in personal privacy due to these technologies involved in monitoring and screening of illegal activities. This paper discusses the various perspectives of electronic surveillance along with other issues and challenges such as threats from abuse, regulations, and sacrifices of freedom, different protocols, and other related concerns.

Discussion

Part - 1

Electronic surveillance has become a controversial practice in the United States and elsewhere. The fear is that civil liberties can become jeopardized by unregulated interception of telephone conversations, e-mail, and fax. Detractors argue that government use of these technologies can conceivably move well beyond their legitimate application against threats from crime, espionage, and terrorism. Without strict protocols to rein in these technologies, a worst- case scenario envisions state intrusions into the everyday activities of innocent civilians. Critics foresee a time when privacy, liberty, and personal security become values of the past. Thus, it is deemed necessary for authorities to keep these practices under consideration and prevent such technologies to interfere in individual's lives (Wagner, 2002).

The issues and challenges face in implementing the electronic surveillance systems includes the ethical concerns which might hinder the privacy of people. It is the responsibility of the government and other regulatory bodies to regulate the usage of technologies by imposing policies and strategies. Another issue might arise due to the consequent result of retaliation of people in case of intrusions into their everyday activities. There are several advantages of surveillance systems besides its disadvantages. It may prevent crimes by observation and monitoring of various places (Klein-Saffran, 1995). The tradeoff people face in such case is between the security and personal privacy. The national security can benefit from the electronic surveillance.

It can be stated that the advancement of electronic surveillance has prices to pay for the benefits it provides. There are laws pertaining to such systems which should be followed under all circumstances to maintain the public trust and acceptance to these electronic surveillance systems. United States has set up electronic surveillance bodies which are responsible for such activities according to the laws and regulations. The national security has better chances of strengthening itself by the applications of electronic surveillance systems. It can make the screening of unethical activities possible. Individuals who are uncomfortable with the implementation of electronic surveillance often complain about the negative aspects of these practices.

Electronic surveillance has drastically reduced the crime rate and assisted in monitoring the red zones in sensitive areas. The fear exists of these technologies in exceeding their legitimate use and result in interfering into the lives of civilians. Thus, it should be carefully adopted and implemented along with the supporting policies. Any usage beyond the line of defense into the individual privacy might lead to severe consequences to the authorities. There should be more attention given to such controversial issues in executing such practices. It is highly suspected that the ...