In the contemporary society people are used to be monitored or they even don`t realize that all their steps are followed by cameras or satellites and how far the interception spread among us. Everyone leaves a trace wherever he might be or whatever he might do due to the fact that there are so many different possibilities to be tracked. We grew up with the longing for saftey within us all but in the last few years the whole issue got out of control.
Could it be the right way to give up liberty to receive safety?
As Benjamin Franklin said: ’Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.’
On one hand everyone has the right for privacy. The meaning of data privacy is, that every human should be able to choose personally who, when and in what extend the personal datas could be accessible. Nowadays, it is hard to say who haven`t got information about a specific person. But one can say that the individuals are not quite innocent to this issue, because everyone who uses Internet leave their data in form of a specific IP-address, as a fingerprint on every page they open that all other users are able to take a look at them. Mostely the users don`t realize due to the fact that they are not familiar with the handling and the consequenses it may take and that is and will be the main problem.
On the other hand can be questioned how far the interception is legal and don`t hurt the right for privacy. Is it really necessary to wiretap someones telephone talks, to locate cameras over a whole city, as it is practised in London, or to check the emails which are sent or received from private persons?
Monitoring at the working place is a big issue at the moment. With even the slightest evidence of ‘cheating’ at bosses which occure because of the perpatual interception of employees one is going to be fired. The companies pledge themselves that surveillance increase the efficiency of the workers and of the whole institution but it isn`t conducive to a good working environment which is necessary for motivated, satisfied and active employees.
To sum up surveillance in a certain extend could be helpful to prevent crime and terrorism and help to make the world a safer planet but too much isn`t that helpful and do more harm instead of giving a feeling of security for all the people.
Freitag, 11. September 2009
The issue of monitoring
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I think you have very interesting thoughts. I agree with you that the surveillance that is supposed to protect citizens and make us feel safe only has (in my opinion) the counter effect, making us feel unsafe. This might also affect employees negatively. It is also difficult to draw the line when surveillance is too much surveillance.
AntwortenLöschenI do not, however, agree with you when you say “But one can say that the individuals are not quite innocent to this issue, because everyone who uses Internet leave their data in form of a specific IP-address…” because this has nothing to do with my will as an individual to be tracked or watched, this is a feature in the computer that I have no control over so I do not thing individuals are to blame for that.
I do however see your point I think, that a lot of information we ourselves put out there; facebook, ads, pictures, relationship sites and so on for everyone to see and this could be used to track our whereabouts. But this is our own fault, and every person has control over this, but perhaps we do not understand the consequent of it.
I think that you have written a good blog entry and I especially liked the Benjamin Franklin quote.
I agree with you, i also think it isn’t worth it to give up your liberty to get some safety. What is the safety we get? Nothing, it’s just fake safety. When for example terrorists want to destroy a town it’s still possible and there are also still people how will be killed.
AntwortenLöschenBut I don’t agree with what you say about our IP- address, we are not innocent. The only choice we have or we leave our fingerprint (our IP-address) or we don’t have to use internet (mail also included). So now a days this means you don’t have a choice.
I think we have to respect the privacy of persons and we don’t have to control everything especially in our normal live. Nothing is totally safe nor sure in live, and maybe that’s makes our live interesting.
You’re right when you say that people doesn’t realize they’re leaving their data in form of a specific IP-address when they are visiting websites.
AntwortenLöschenAt least I don’t keep in mind when I’m out at the internet that someone can track me when I’m visiting a site.
When we got this kind of technology I think and hope it helps preventing crime and terrorism. I’m not bothered that somebody out there can trace me and see all the websites I’m visiting, when it can make a different in important matters like terrorism.