The Surprising Consequences of Surveillance

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the topic of surveillance and its impacts on society. We will look at ways in which state and company surveillance can affect individuals’ privacy and freedom, and the potential economic and social consequences of this surveillance. There are ethical and philosophical questions raised by surveillance, and the ways in which it can challenge ideas of personal identity and agency.

In recent years, surveillance has become a significant issue of concern, as advances in technology have made it easier for governments and companies to collect and analyse vast amounts of data about people’s activities. This has led to a debate about the appropriate balance between national security and privacy, and about the extent to which surveillance should be allowed to shape and influence various aspects of society.

It is important for individuals to be aware of the ways in which they are being monitored and tracked, and to understand the potential impacts of this surveillance on their lives. By examining these issues, we can work to ensure that surveillance is used in a way that respects people’s rights and freedoms, and that promotes transparency and accountability.

I talked about this back in early 2020 and was dismissed as paranoid—as is our tradition when someone points to the predictable outcome of a dangerous but popular new trend. Stopping this will be harder, now.

Edward Snowden recent Tweet

Edward Snowden

Edward Snowden is a well-known figure in the field of computer security and information privacy. He is a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who, in 2013, revealed information about classified United States government surveillance programs. His disclosures brought attention to the extent of government surveillance and sparked a debate about the balance between national security and privacy.

One aspect of Snowden’s revelations that received significant attention was the extent to which the government was conducting surveillance on ordinary citizens and activists. This included the use of tracking tools such as PRISM, which allowed the NSA to collect data from major internet companies, and Tempora, which allowed the agency to intercept and store large amounts of internet traffic passing through fiber-optic cables.

Some people saw these programs as an infringement on their privacy and liberty, arguing that the government was collecting and storing vast amounts of data about individuals without their knowledge or consent. Others defended the programs as necessary for national security, arguing that they were necessary to protect the country from threats such as terrorism.

It is out of question that Snowden’s revelations about government surveillance have sparked a debate about the appropriate balance between national security and privacy, and have raised important questions about the extent to which governments should be able to monitor and track the activities of their citizens. Some have called for greater transparency and accountability in government surveillance programs, arguing that this is necessary to ensure that these programs are being used for legitimate purposes and that the rights of citizens are being respected. Others have argued that such transparency could compromise national security and make it more difficult for the government to protect the country from threats. Regardless of where one stands on this issue, it is clear that Snowden’s disclosures have had a lasting impact on the way we think about surveillance and privacy, and have prompted a much-needed conversation about the appropriate limits of government power.

Examples of tracking tools

Here are some examples of tracking tools that have been used against ordinary citizens and activists:

PRISM: This was a classified United States government surveillance program that allowed the National Security Agency (NSA) to collect data from major internet companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple.

Tempora: This was a program that allowed the NSA to intercept and store large amounts of internet traffic passing through fibre-optic cables.

Stingray: This is a type of device that can be used to intercept phone calls and text messages, as well as track the location of a mobile phone.

XKeyscore: This was a program that allowed the NSA to search through vast amounts of internet traffic in order to identify specific individuals or groups.

Echelon: This was a global network of satellite and ground-based listening stations that was used by the United States and its allies to intercept and monitor electronic communications.

FinFisher: This is a type of surveillance software that can be installed on a person’s computer or phone in order to monitor their activities.

These are just a few examples of the types of tracking tools that have been used against ordinary citizens and activists. It’s important to note that the use of these tools is often shrouded in secrecy, and it can be difficult to determine the full extent of their use or the specific individuals or groups that are being targeted

Are these tools still active?

It is difficult to say with certainty whether these specific tracking tools are still being used by state surveillance agencies. Many of these tools were developed and used by the United States government, and their use was often shrouded in secrecy. It is possible that some of these tools are still in use today, but it is also possible that they have been discontinued or replaced by newer technologies.

It is important to note that surveillance technologies and techniques are constantly evolving, and that state surveillance agencies around the world have access to a wide range of tools and capabilities. These tools can be used for a variety of purposes, including law enforcement, national security, and intelligence gathering.

In general, it is likely that state surveillance agencies continue to use a variety of tools and techniques to monitor and track the activities of individuals and groups, both within their own countries and abroad. However, the specific tools and techniques that are being used, and the extent to which they are being used, are often kept secret in order to protect national security and maintain operational effectiveness.

Capitalism and surveillance

The Capitalism of Surveillance

 is a book written by Jason Potts and published in 2021. The book examines the ways in which surveillance has become a key feature of modern capitalism, and how it has been used to shape and influence various aspects of society, including the economy, politics, and culture.

The book argues that surveillance has become an integral part of the capitalist system, and that it is used to extract value from people and organizations in various ways. For example, surveillance can be used to gather data about people’s behaviours and preferences, which can then be used to target advertising or to develop new products and services. It can also be used to monitor and control the activities of workers and consumers, or to track and measure the performance of organizations.

The Capitalism of Surveillance provides a critical examination of the ways in which surveillance has become embedded in modern capitalism, and how it is used to shape and influence various aspects of society.

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism

is a book written by Shoshana Zuboff and published in 2019. In the book, Zuboff examines the rise of a new form of capitalism, which she refers to as “surveillance capitalism,” in which companies collect vast amounts of data about people’s activities and use it to target them with personalized advertisements and other forms of persuasion.

According to Zuboff, surveillance capitalism represents a fundamental shift in the way that capitalism operates, as it is based on the extraction of value from people’s data and attention rather than from the production and sale of goods and services. She argues that this new form of capitalism has profound implications for privacy, democracy, and the future of society, and that it represents a threat to the traditional values and institutions that have underpinned modern capitalism.

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism has been widely praised for its insights into the ways in which technology is shaping society and the economy, and for its call to action to reclaim control over our data and attention.

Comparing these two books

“The Capitalism of Surveillance” and “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” are both books that examine the role of surveillance in modern capitalism and its impacts on society. However, there are some key differences between the two books.

One difference is the focus of the books. “The Capitalism of Surveillance” focuses on the ways in which surveillance has become an integral part of the capitalist system and how it is used to extract value from people and organizations. “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism,” on the other hand, focuses specifically on the rise of a new form of capitalism, which the author refers to as “surveillance capitalism,” in which companies collect vast amounts of data about people’s activities and use it to target them with personalized advertisements and other forms of persuasion.

Another difference is the scope of the books. “The Capitalism of Surveillance” examines the ways in which surveillance has shaped and influenced various aspects of society, including the economy, politics, and culture. “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism,” on the other hand, focuses more specifically on the impacts of surveillance capitalism on privacy, democracy, and the future of society.

Overall, both books provide valuable insights into the role of surveillance in modern capitalism and its impacts on society. However, they take slightly different approaches and focus on different aspects of the issue.

Further readings

In you are interested here is a list of few other books that you might find helpful – These are just a few examples of books that explore the topic of surveillance and its impacts on society.

Surveillance Valley: The Secret Military History of the Internet by Yasha Levine: This book traces the history of the internet and explores the ways in which it has been used by the military and intelligence agencies for surveillance and control.

Surveillance Society: Monitoring Everyday Life by David Lyon: This book examines the ways in which surveillance has become a pervasive part of modern life, and how it is used to monitor and control individuals and groups.

The Spy in Your Pocket: How Your Smartphone is Tracking You by Andrew Smith: This book looks at the ways in which smartphones and other devices can be used to track and monitor people’s activities, and discusses the implications for privacy and security.

The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom by Evgeny Morozov: This book examines the ways in which the internet and other technologies are being used to undermine democracy and human rights, and discusses the challenges and opportunities for promoting a more open and free society.

The Watchman’s Rattle: A Radical New Theory of Collapse by Rebecca D. Costa: This book explores the ways in which societies collapse and how this can be prevented, and argues that the increasing use of surveillance and other forms of control is a key factor in the decline of civilizations.

And, course, at least two books by E. Snowden

One of Snowden’s books, “Permanent Record,” is an autobiography that discusses his experiences working in the intelligence community and his decision to reveal classified information about government surveillance programs. The book provides insight into the inner workings of the NSA and the motivations behind Snowden’s actions, and discusses the broader implications of his disclosures for privacy, democracy, and the role of technology in society.

Another book by Snowden, “Permanent Record: Metadata,” is a companion to “Permanent Record” that focuses specifically on the concept of metadata and how it is used by governments and companies to collect and analyse information about individuals. The book discusses the ways in which metadata can be used to track and monitor people’s activities, and the implications for privacy and security.

Snowden’s books provide valuable insights into the world of intelligence and surveillance, and the ways in which these practices can impact individuals and society.

The importance to know about state and companies surveillance of the ordinary citizens.

Surveillance by the state and companies has the potential to significantly impact the lives of ordinary citizens. It is important for people to be aware of the extent to which they are being monitored and tracked, and to understand the potential consequences of this surveillance.

One reason why it is important to know about state and company surveillance is that it can affect people’s privacy and freedom of expression. State surveillance, in particular, can be used to monitor and control the activities of citizens, and to suppress dissent and political opposition. Companies, on the other hand, often collect vast amounts of data about people’s activities and use it to target them with personalized advertisements and other forms of persuasion. This can have a significant impact on people’s decision-making and behaviours, and can shape the way they perceive and interact with the world around them.

Another reason why it is important to know about state and company surveillance is that it can have significant economic and social consequences. State surveillance can be used to gather intelligence about other countries and to protect national security, but it can also be used to gain a competitive advantage in the global economy. Companies, on the other hand, can use surveillance to gather data about people’s behaviours and preferences, which they can then use to develop new products and services, or to shape the market in their favor. This can lead to a concentration of wealth and power, and can create significant inequalities in society.

In conclusion, it is important for people to be aware of state and company surveillance, and to understand the potential impacts it can have on their privacy, freedom, and well-being. This awareness can help people to make informed decisions about their own lives, and to advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the way that surveillance is used.

Ethical and philosophical considerations

In addition to the practical considerations outlined so far, the state and company surveillance of ordinary citizens raises a number of ethical and philosophical questions.

From an ethical perspective, surveillance can be seen as a violation of individuals’ privacy and autonomy. It can allow governments and companies to gather and analyse vast amounts of information about people’s lives without their knowledge or consent, and to use this information to control or manipulate their actions and behaviours. This can be seen as a violation of people’s fundamental rights and freedoms, and as a threat to their dignity and autonomy as individuals.

From a philosophical perspective, surveillance can be seen as a challenge to the idea of personal identity and agency. By collecting and analysing vast amounts of data about people’s activities, governments and companies can create detailed profiles of individuals that may capture and reflect aspects of their lives that they are not aware of or do not necessarily want to reveal. This can raise questions about the extent to which people are in control of their own identities and actions, and whether they have the ability to shape their own lives and destinies.

Several authors have reflected on these ethical and philosophical issues in relation to surveillance. For example, philosopher Michel Foucault argued that surveillance represents a form of power that is exercised over people, and that it can be used to control and shape their behaviours and beliefs. Sociologist David Lyon has written extensively about the ways in which surveillance has become a pervasive part of modern life, and the implications this has for privacy, democracy, and the social fabric. Legal scholar James Rule has examined the ways in which surveillance can be used to create and maintain social hierarchies, and the implications this has for social justice and equality.

To summarise, the state and company surveillance of ordinary citizens raises a number of ethical and philosophical questions that are worthy of consideration and debate. By examining these issues, we can better understand the impacts of surveillance on society and individuals, and work to ensure that it is used in a way that respects people’s rights and freedoms.