This paper focuses on mass surveillance and its legality under the national laws of a few countries and international law as a whole.
Many among us frequently hear the term ‘mass surveillance’ these days, and connect it with government monitoring us through the internet and other media – keeping a note on who we are, what we do, any signs within us that could be contrary to the national security and so on. After all, if you are a good, law-abiding citizen, then what do you have to fear about? However, what about the privacy of an individual? As a law-abiding citizen living in a liberal democracy, shouldn’t one have the right to indulge freely in legal activities without any fear or backlash from the authority? Or, is it that as long as you do what you’re told, there is nothing to fear? This paper shall analyze these questions, and some more, where we look into these issues especially from an international and legal perspective.
By reading this paper, the reader has an opportunity to understand surveillance and its background, and get a thorough understanding of arguments put forward by both the supporters of the surveillance laws (i.e. the government) and those who are against it. This paper looks at how mass surveillance is defined under laws of various countries, since there is no specific international law that deals with it. At the end, the paper presents plausible international laws and regulations that can be viewed to assess mass surveillance according to the current laws in place.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Surveillance: What, When, and Why?
- Corporate surveillance: what is it?
- Government Surveillance: few cases..
- United States of America
- United Kingdom..
- Public Outcry against Mass Surveillance....
- European Union and Laws on Human Rights and Privacy..
- Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life.
- Article 10 - Freedom of expression
- International Law: Perspective......
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.......
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze mass surveillance from an international and legal perspective, exploring the different forms of surveillance and the arguments for and against it. It particularly focuses on the distinction between corporate surveillance and government surveillance, examining how both impact individual privacy and civil liberties.
- The definition and scope of mass surveillance
- The role of government and corporations in surveillance practices
- The conflict between privacy rights and national security concerns
- The legal framework surrounding surveillance in different countries
- The impact of technological advancements on surveillance capabilities
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of mass surveillance, discussing its perception by the public and highlighting the contrasting viewpoints of supporters and opponents. It also introduces the distinction between corporate and government surveillance, setting the stage for further exploration of the topic.
The chapter titled "Surveillance: What, When, and Why?" delves into the historical evolution of surveillance, tracing its origins from manual and targeted methods to the widespread and automated practices of today. It outlines the distinction between corporate and government surveillance and emphasizes the growing role of the latter in collecting data on citizens.
The chapter "Corporate surveillance: what is it?" examines the practices of corporations in collecting and utilizing customer data, exploring the arguments for and against these practices. It highlights the tension between corporations' pursuit of profit and the protection of individual privacy.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and focus topics of this essay include mass surveillance, privacy rights, national security, civil liberties, government surveillance, corporate surveillance, data collection, information sharing, international law, and human rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of this paper on mass surveillance?
The paper analyzes mass surveillance from an international legal perspective, examining its legality and its impact on individual privacy and civil liberties.
What is the difference between corporate and government surveillance?
Corporate surveillance is profit-driven data collection by companies, while government surveillance is often justified by national security and crime prevention.
Which international laws protect privacy against surveillance?
Key legal frameworks include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
What are the main arguments in favor of surveillance laws?
Supporters, primarily governments, argue that mass surveillance is necessary for national security, preventing terrorism, and maintaining public order.
How has surveillance evolved with technology?
Surveillance has shifted from manual, targeted monitoring to automated, widespread data collection through the internet and digital media.
- Quote paper
- Archit Pandey (Author), 2015, An Introduction to Mass Surveillance and International Law, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/335237
