Use of surveillance cameras
Use of surveillance cameras in public areas
Surveillance cameras are used all over the world in public and semi-public areas for a range of reasons. About three-quarters of small businesses record who comes into their location on CCTV. CCTV stands for closed-circuit television. There are systems that recognize license plates on moving vehicles and systems that monitor traffic flow and catch people violating traffic laws. Examples of relevant public places that CCTVs are used include: Public parks, pedestrianized streets in city centers, outdoor public parking areas, residential neighborhood streets, public transport interchanges and areas outside public facilities such as sports arenas.1 Surveillance is the monitoring of the behaviour, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting them. The word surveillance comes from a French phrase for "watching over" ("sur" means "from above" and "veiller" means "to watch"). 2
The use of surveillance cameras in public areas is a very controversial issue. There are many arguments for and against the issue. Some of the arguments in favour of the use of surveillance cameras are: they are very useful to governments and law enforcement to maintain social control, recognize and monitor threats, and prevent/investigate criminal activity. Governments often initially claim that cameras are meant to be used for traffic control, but many of them end up using them for general surveillance. Some supporters of surveillance systems believe that these tools protect society from terrorists and criminals. Other supporters simply believe that there is nothing that can be done about it, and that people must become accustomed to having no privacy. As Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy said, "You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it." 3
Like most things, there is always a in favour, neutral and against opinion from people. I will start off with some facts that are
Surveillance cameras are used all over the world in public and semi-public areas for a range of reasons. About three-quarters of small businesses record who comes into their location on CCTV. CCTV stands for closed-circuit television. There are systems that recognize license plates on moving vehicles and systems that monitor traffic flow and catch people violating traffic laws. Examples of relevant public places that CCTVs are used include: Public parks, pedestrianized streets in city centers, outdoor public parking areas, residential neighborhood streets, public transport interchanges and areas outside public facilities such as sports arenas.1 Surveillance is the monitoring of the behaviour, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting them. The word surveillance comes from a French phrase for "watching over" ("sur" means "from above" and "veiller" means "to watch"). 2
The use of surveillance cameras in public areas is a very controversial issue. There are many arguments for and against the issue. Some of the arguments in favour of the use of surveillance cameras are: they are very useful to governments and law enforcement to maintain social control, recognize and monitor threats, and prevent/investigate criminal activity. Governments often initially claim that cameras are meant to be used for traffic control, but many of them end up using them for general surveillance. Some supporters of surveillance systems believe that these tools protect society from terrorists and criminals. Other supporters simply believe that there is nothing that can be done about it, and that people must become accustomed to having no privacy. As Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy said, "You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it." 3
Like most things, there is always a in favour, neutral and against opinion from people. I will start off with some facts that are