Surveillance and privacy

Types of Surveillance:
• Government Surveillance: Governments use various methods, such as CCTV cameras,
wiretapping, and data collection, to monitor citizens for security, law enforcement, and
intelligence purposes.
• Corporate Surveillance: Companies collect data on individuals for marketing, advertising,
and pro t. This includes tracking online behaviour, collecting personal information, and
using it for targeted ads.
• Social Surveillance: Individuals often surveil each other through social media, sharing
personal information and photos voluntarily. This can lead to privacy concerns and
unintended consequences.

Facts:
surveillance

• In the United States, the National Security Agency (NSA) was reportedly collecting
hundreds of millions of call records each year as of 2020.

• In 2020, the number of surveillance requests made by the U.S. government to

technology companies under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was
over 5,600.

• In 2020, Google's parent company, Alphabet, had an annual revenue of

approximately $182 billion, primarily driven by advertising, which relies on user data.

• Facebook, now Meta Platforms, reported over 2.8 billion monthly active users on
its platform as of September 2021, contributing to the vast amount of data collected
for targeted advertising.

• In 2020, there were over 3,900 reported data breaches globally, exposing more
than 37 billion records.

• The average cost of a data breach was $3.86 million in 2020, according to IBM's
Cost of a Data Breach Report.

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) had nes of up to €20 million or
4% of a company's global annual revenue, whichever was higher, for non-
compliance with data protection rules.

Privacy

• In 2020, there were over 3,900 reported data breaches globally, exposing more
than 37 billion records.

• The average cost of a data breach was $3.86 million in 2020, according to IBM's
Cost of a Data Breach Report.

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) introduced in Europe in 2018 had
led to over €272 million in nes for data protection violations as of 2020.

• As of September 2021, more than 100 countries had enacted data protection and
privacy laws.
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 • In a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 72% of U.S. adults said they felt that
almost all of what they do online or on their mobile phone is being tracked by
advertisers and tech companies.

• In the same survey, 79% of respondents expressed concern about how their
personal data was being used by companies

• As of 2021, more than 50 countries around the world were using biometric data,
including ngerprint and facial recognition, for border control and identi cation

• The number of smartphone users globally exceeded 3.6 billion in 2020, with
smartphones often collecting location data.

• The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) estimated that there

were approximately 500,000 Data Protection O cers (DPOs) worldwide as of 2020,
tasked with ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Testimonials:
Privacy

Emily: "In today's digital world, protecting my online privacy is non-negotiable. I use encryption
tools, VPNs, and strong passwords to keep my data safe. It's empowering to have control over
my digital footprint.”

David, Small Business Owner: "Privacy is vital for my business. Customers trust us with their data,
and we take that responsibility seriously. Ensuring their privacy is not only ethical but also crucial
for our reputation.”

Sophia: "I love online shopping, but I also value my privacy. It's reassuring to know that e-
commerce platforms respect my data and use it responsibly. It makes me a loyal customer.”

Threats of surveillance:

Privacy Invasion:

One of the primary concerns with surveillance is the invasion of personal privacy. Mass
surveillance can lead to the monitoring and collection of sensitive personal information without
individuals' consent.

1. In the Cambridge Analytics scandal in 2018, it was revealed that the personal data of millions of
Facebook users had been harvested without their consent for political purposes.

Data breaches:

The vast amount of data collected through surveillance programs can become a target for
hackers and cybercriminals. Data breaches can expose sensitive information and compromise
individuals' privacy.

1.Data breaches have been on the rise globally. In 2020, there were 1,001 publicly reported data
breaches in the United States alone, exposing over 155 million records, according to the Identity
Theft Resource Center.
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 Misuse of data:

Surveillance data can be misused by individuals, organisations, or governments for malicious

purposes, such as blackmail, harassment, or discrimination

1.Identity theft is a common form of data misuse. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
received over 1.4 million reports of identity theft, with losses totalling $3.3 billion.

Lack of Transparency:

In many cases, surveillance programs lack transparency and oversight, making it di cult to hold
those responsible accountable for their actions.

1.The complexity of privacy policies and terms of service agreements online often leads to a lack
of transparency. A 2020 survey by Deloitte found that 39% of respondents did not read online
privacy policies because they were too long or complex.

bene ts of surveillance:
Crime Prevention and Detection:

Surveillance cameras in public spaces and businesses can deter criminal activity and provide
valuable evidence for law enforcement in investigating and solving crimes.

1.Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are widely used for surveillance. In a study conducted
in the United Kingdom, it was found that surveillance cameras helped solve nearly 70% of murder
cases.

Public safety:

Surveillance systems in airports, train stations, and other transportation hubs enhance public
safety by monitoring for suspicious activity and responding quickly to emergencies.

1.Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are widely deployed for public safety. A study in the
United Kingdom found that surveillance cameras helped reduce crime in town centers by up to
41%.

Tra c management:

Tra c cameras and monitoring systems help manage tra c ow, reduce congestion, and improve
road safety by detecting accidents and congestion in real-t

1.Tra c cameras are used for monitoring tra c ow, enforcing tra c laws, and improving road
safety. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that red-light cameras reduced
fatal red-light running crashes by 21% in large cities in the United States.

Evidence in Legal Proceedings:

Surveillance footage and data can serve as critical evidence in legal proceedings, including
criminal cases, personal injury claims, and insurance disputes.

1.Surveillance footage is frequently used as evidence in criminal investigations. According to a

study by the Urban Institute, CCTV cameras helped solve approximately 55% of reported violent
crimes in Baltimore.
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 Surveillance in india:
Social Media Monitoring:
• There have been reports of government agencies in India monitoring social media and
online content for various purposes, including tracking social and political trends.

Smart Cities Initiatives:

• The Indian government launched the Smart Cities Mission to modernise urban infrastructure
and services. Many smart cities in India have implemented surveillance solutions, including
the installation of CCTV cameras.

Aadhaar and Biometric Data:

• India's Aadhaar system, a biometric identity program, collects and stores biometric data
such as ngerprints and iris scans. While not strictly surveillance, it has implications for data
privacy and security.

Smart Cities Initiatives:

• The Indian government launched the Smart Cities Mission to modernise urban infrastructure
and services. Many smart cities in India have implemented surveillance solutions, including
the installation of CCTV cameras.
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