Law enforcement and intelligence agencies employ online surveillance tools to monitor, record, and analyse digital activity. These include software programs for online security as well as hardware cameras that are connected to a server to store and manage data. Surveillance systems can help investigators locate a suspect’s location, identify their physical characteristics, and spot any suspicious behavior. They can be used to identify potential theft and sabotage of sensitive data.
Governments must ensure that the development, procurement and operation of surveillance technologies are guided by respect for human rights and privacy principles, including protection of bodily autonomy, avoiding interference with individual freedoms and minimizing the collection and retention of data. This means establishing clear limits on the information collected and ensuring that such technology is only employed when it is needed and appropriate to achieve legitimate goals within a particular context, and offering legal advice to people who are concerned about its use.
While authorities may argue that these tools are necessary to combat terrorist activities Human rights organizations argue the widespread use of these technologies could result in abuse of discretion and power of police officers. There are a number of US agencies have reportedly used surveillance software, including facial recognition and social media mining, to monitor citizens and travelers in public areas or to monitor activists and protesters.
BrickHouse Security offers a variety of counter surveillance devices to secure privacy and avoid unwanted surveillance. These range from portable detectors that can sweep an area for hidden cameras in just a few seconds to white noise masking devices that stop recording devices from detecting voices.
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