Critical Evaluation of whether Britain Constitutes a Total Surveillance Society - Assignment Example

Critical Evaluation of whether Britain Constitutes a Total Surveillance Society? Introduction: Surveillance is a system in which behaviour of people is monitored in a secretive manner. Under surveillance an individual or a group of people are observed by government organizations. It is not necessary that a person is performing a surveillance act it can also be done by electronic equipments such as CCTV cameras. More complex surveillance forms include intercepting phone calls or information transmitted through internet traffic. It can also be simple such as human intelligence agents or postal interception. Now, with terrorist activities so common many countries have started using surveillance lawfully to sustain social security. Amongst many countries U.K has invested most money to install high speed surveillance computer and camera to watch out for criminal threats in public. However, surveillance is not so easily accepted by public as they believe it is violating their privacy rights by interfering in their social freedom. It is believed that soon U.K. will be an electronic police state. This paper will focus on covering various aspects of U.K. being a surveillance society in which all details of personal lives are gathered, stored and processed with computer as a data base owned by corporations and government departments (Lyon, 1994). United Kingdom the pioneer of surveillance society: In 2006, Surveillance studies network, a group run by academics compared the surveillance process going on in several western countries and claimed U.K. to be the most surveilled country. The report stated that U.K. does not have any control over its democracy and it cannot give individuals their privacy (Britain is 'surveillance society' , 2006) Since then several issues have risen regarding U.K converting into a surveillance society. In 2009, a report published by House of Lords Constitution Committee, called Surveillance: Citizens and the State stated that such increased surveillance by private companies and government is an invasion to the nations privacy rights. Nothing has brought such a significant change in lives of British since Second World War. Mass surveillance is like a weapon that can eradicate all borders of privacy. Privacy is important to anybody wishing for freedom. Mass surveillance also threatens to break the constitutional foundations forming the base of democracy of U.K. (BBC, 2006). The surveillance studies network report named Malaysia, China and Britain as the countries with most endemic surveillance. The head of the group Mr. Thomas raised several issues regarding such massive surveillance. He highlighted all the risks involved if this private information falls in wrong hands. He suggested that surveillance is not wrong however there should be boundaries and lines which should not be crossed in any way. He said that data protection is extremely important before it gets too late (BBC, 2006). The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is also not in favour of massive surveillance and believes that if a surveillance society is to exist then it should create a balance and learn how to respect citizen’s right by handling the information responsibly. While all the opportunities to do good in the society can be grasped through a surveillance society all the negative challenges should be avoided. All the government agencies, departments and surveillance agencies need to be watched as to what to what use the information is being brought to (BBC, 2006). Sine past two years constant concern is being raised about surveillance implemented by the government agencies. A research concluded that monitoring data through credit cards, loyalty cards and mobile phone is becoming quiet common. Also a check on travelling history and work rate is being kept. Also, U.K has adopted the strategy of looking after the people through CCTV. More that 4 million CCTV cameras have been set in different locations one for every 14th person. The telecommunication data is monitored by surveillance and security agencies in US through special GPS information tracking vehicles. With their technology more than 2016 shoppers can be scanned daily as they enter stores or schools (BBC, 2006). Let’s discuss some of the equipment used by U.K government to carry out their surveillance activities: CTV networks U.K has around 4.2 million CCTV cameras installed at various places. CCTV system is a very sophisticated technology. Its features consist of night vision, motion detection and computer assisted operations. All these facilities enable the operator to keep the system on red alert so when anything moves in front of the camera the operator will come to know. CCTV’s come with bullet proof casing and several self defence mechanics. The image is so clear of these cameras that the operator can read the brand the person on the camera is smoking from hundred miles away. The system comes with the ability to show the crystal clear images even in pitch darkness (Goold, 2004). Many of the towns and cities of U.K are under 24/7 surveillance. Currently in nearly all the cameras a microphone is also fitted so along with video stream an audio stream is also captured (The Telegraph, 2009). From Feb 2010 onward many of the CCTVs have been equipped with the technology in which operator can shout in to the street through the loudspeaker if he spots anything troubling even if that means listening to two people talking about bank robbery scheme. Unmanned-aircraft vehicle systems The police forces have signed a contract with BAE systems to introduce unmanned aircraft vehicles into the daily work of police and other security agencies to keep a constant check on all kinds of illegal activities. These machines consist of high definition cameras, infrared services and radar devices that can reach up to the sky as high as 20,000 ft. Since the operation cost would be too high of these unmanned aircraft vehicle systems it has been suggested that the surveillance data collected can be sold to private companies on high price (Lewis, 2010). Public Transport A check on public transportation is kept through oyster card payment system. This card can keep a track on the person’s movement through all forms of public transport. Communication U.K government has been keeping a track on web, telephones, emails and fax records since 2002. The government has given authority to around 28 government departments through Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), to investigation the communication without the subject’s knowledge or warrant. RIPA can tell who called you, when they called you, what was the call duration time and also the callers address and information. Telecommunication companies in October 2007 were ordered to keep a track of all the phone calls and text messages under the Data Retention Directive. Although all telecommunication companies did keep the data with them but now they were given a uniform method of doing so. The uniformity makes it easier for Police or other authorized organizations to monitor phone calls upon request (BBC, 2008). In 2008, Government's Interception Modernisation Programme was put forward in which all data from phone calls, web mails, chat rooms will be collected after inserting around a million black boxes into country’s telephone and computer network. Even the websites visited and the addresses on which emailed are sent will also watched. However, public was not much happy about such strict surveillance Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat Home affairs spokesman in a speech said that such intervention is purely wrong. But the government could not care less and around £2 billion are invested to convert this master plan into reality. A consultation firm did a survey and found out that 40% of the population is deeply disturbed by the idea of keeping a track on their communication. Even communication done in online games will be monitored (BBC, 2008). Vehicle tracking Nearly on all the roads of the country cameras have been put which track all vehicle movements. An automatic number recognition system has also been installed in these cameras which track and give details of the journeys the car has done nearly for past five years (Porter, 2009). DNA Database Around 5 million finger prints and nearly 3 million DNA samples are present in the National DNA Database. DNA samples are taken from schools even at time which adversely affects the children. Public Reaction to the Concept of Surveillance Society: In 2006 YouGov poll was done which stated that 71% of the interviewed thought that U.K. has become a surveillance society and 51% were extremely unhappy about it (Evans, 2006). The surveillance studies claimed that the results of surveillance will be extremely conservative. By 2016, the employees would have to go through several physiological tests to determine if they are fit for the job. The schools will run on a cashless card which will allow the parents to pay for all dinners. This will give local councils the power to see if children are eating healthy food however later on will be used to see children exam’s results, school achievements, internet history and drug tests (Evans, 2006). Older people will feel most isolated because their relative would keep a check on them through the cameras rather than visiting them. Electric chips will be placed in children, elderly and pets to keep a track on them (Evans, 2006). Surveillance has its advantages such as it will keep the rate of crime low and might also reduce terrorist activities but it can also create social problems for people such as discrimination and many other negative impacts on their life (Evans, 2006). Benefits of a Surveillance Society: The Surveillance Studies Network states that a surveillance society can improve the outcome of many organizations, businesses, government and military as well (House of Commons, 2008). Benefits to the consumer The data gathered gives information about consumer behaviour, using this information more personalized services can be rendered through cost effective marketing plans. Several royalty programs can be introduced in which on shopping for a particular amount reward in the form of gift or services will be given. Since the financial institutions have full access to personal data of masses they can identify their potential customers and approach them with relevant products or services (House of Commons, 2008). Benefits to public health The data collected is used in medical research. Last year Institute of Child Health at University College, London, underwent five major researches on the basis of the data, namely: Identification of the causes of disease Identification of effective treatment Monitoring of public health Protection of patients and the public Evaluation of health services The department of Health greatly supports the idea of a surveillance society stating that it helps them in improving the entire nation’s health by providing them with effective health care services (House of Commons, 2008). Benefits to the citizen and society The government believes that surveillance society is a great idea which helps them daily on local and national levels. A uniform structure of collecting data has been set for both the public sector and private sector which helps the government greatly in analyzing a lot of things. The CCTV has helped government identify who really needs an unemployment fund or health allowance and who doesn’t. Risks of surveillance Chances of mishandling the information The information provided can be real trouble if it is not correct, not sufficient or is out of date. Extensive information also leads to irrelevancy. Also if information is matched with a wrong individual it can create a lot of trouble. If the person whose identify is by mistake mixed with somebody else then psychological effects can be horrendous. The person would feel his reputation is in danger and he would have to go through a lot of hassle to sort matters out leading to extreme outrage. A person can be put into jail, given wrong medicines or claimed bankrupt because of false identities (House of Commons, 2008). Price Privacy at increase Also the chances of Price Privacy are possible. Price Privacy happens when personal information is sold to a third party and since a lot of personal information is in the hands of private sector the chances of price privacy increase incredibly (House of Commons, 2008). Surveillance data gathered by commercial organizations is not only done aggressively but is also used for many persuasive reasons. They do not mind selling information to other companies for revenue generation (Lyon, 1994). Identity fraud Identity fraud is when somebody steals somebody else’s identity to enjoy financial benefits. Through a survey it came to know that identity fraud is very much possible because in the previous year the Government has lost a lot of data containing excessive personal information. In 2007 a large data consisting of personal details of 25 million individuals was lost on the way to National Audit Office by HMRC's internal post system. Since then several theft attempts have been made upon the individual’s bank accounts, trying to fish money out by claiming their identity (House of Commons, 2008). Profiling Something commonly seen in social networks, people of same interests join together and form groupings. Like this even criminals or bad creditors get together. Facebook is the biggest evidence showing disadvantages of profiling. Few weeks back a killer was seen to hunt girls down on face book and then target those (House of Commons, 2008). Effect on society as a whole: Intrusion into private life may cause a feeling of isolation which is unacceptable by many. They might feel they have lost their power and dignity. Government and its associated organizations will have excessive power which is not good. Surveillance society basically runs on a lot of gathered data. Constant questions and surveys will create frustration in the people leading to several philosophical issues and a disturbed relationship of the citizen with the state which is not good (Newburn and Hayman, 2002) Conclusion: it’s all about balance: U.K is a surveillance society there is no doubt about it. With so many Acts announced by Government allowing police and other authorities to watch over the nation by analyzing their actions and tracking their personal information is a proof that U.K Government has constituted a surveillance society. To have surveillance society is not a crime it’s just the way it works is a subject to a lot of criticism especially the way data is collected. There is no harm in collecting data which helps consumers or public services but as long as it is collected and used properly. The risks involved in collecting and maintaining personal data are many. Any sort of misuse can result into serious harm to the individual. In the broader sense erosion into personal life of the citizens can affect the way they deal with the state. The means of collecting data should also be very intellectually designed and should not harm the dignity of the individuals in any way. References BBC (2006) Britain is 'surveillance society' . Retrieved on 7 30, 2010, from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6108496.stm BBC (2008), “Giant database plan 'Orwellian' Retrieved on 29 July 2010 from Evans, Rob (2006) Spy planes, clothes scanners and secret cameras: Britain's surveillance future. Retrieved on 29 July 2010 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/nov/02/news.egovernment Goold, Benjamin J. (2004), CCTV and Policing: Public area surveillance and police practices in Britain. New York: Oxford University Press. House of Commons (2008) what are the implications of the growth in surveillance for the individual and society? Retrieved on 29 July 2010 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7671046.stm. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmhaff/58/5808.htm#note118 Lewis, Paul (2010). CCTV in the sky: police plan to use military-style spy drones. Retrieved on 29 July 2010, from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/23/cctv-sky-police-plan-drones. Lyon, D. (1994) The Electronic Eye: The Rise of Surveillance Society, Cambridge: Polity. Newburn, T., Hayman, S. (2002) Policing, Surveillance and Social Control. Collumpton: Willam Publishing. The Telegraph (2009). Council plans to listen in on street life. Retrieved on 29 July 2010 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ Read More