In the digital age, two powerful forces are constantly intersecting—surveillance and privacy. Both are deeply embedded in modern cybersecurity and data governance frameworks, but they often appear to be in tension. Governments and corporations claim surveillance is vital for national security, fraud prevention, and public safety, while users and privacy advocates push back against intrusive data collection, profiling, and mass monitoring.
So, how do we balance these interests? Can surveillance coexist with privacy—or are they inherently oppositional?
Targeted Surveillance vs. Mass Surveillance
To understand the relationship between surveillance and privacy, it’s essential to distinguish between two main types:
✅ Targeted Surveillance
Defined as observation or monitoring directed at specific individuals. It may be conducted overtly or covertly by law enforcement or intelligence agencies.
Typical methods include:
- Intercepting communications
- Monitoring digital traffic
- Visual surveillance (CCTV)
- Motion-sensing devices
Targeted surveillance typically involves legal oversight (e.g., a warrant) and is intended to focus on suspected activity.
Mass Surveillance
In contrast, mass surveillance is indiscriminate. It involves large-scale collection of data or imagery on the entire population, without targeting any particular person.
Examples include:
- CCTV networks in public spaces
- Internet traffic logging
- Data from mobile apps and websites
- AI-based facial recognition systems
Mass surveillance is often justified under prevention-based narratives: “We might need this data in the future.”
Dive deeper: Mass Surveillance and Big Data: Risks and Impacts
Security vs. Privacy: A False Dichotomy?
One common argument is that privacy must be traded for security. This is often framed as a binary:
“You can’t have both. If you want safety, you need to sacrifice some privacy.”
But this assumption is overly simplistic.
Privacy refers to who controls and accesses your data, and under what conditions.
Security ensures that data is protected from unauthorized access or breaches.
As noted in a UK-based analysis:
“There is an intrinsic relationship between privacy and national security because there are restrictions as to how much people are willing to trade privacy in pursuit of national security.”
Security can exist without privacy—for example, a system may encrypt user data but still collect and use it extensively. However, privacy cannot exist without security, since insecure systems cannot protect data from exposure or misuse.
Explore more: Difference Between Data Privacy and Data Security
Surveillance and Human Rights
Privacy is not just a personal preference—it is recognized as a fundamental human right under international frameworks such as:
- Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the EU
Excessive or unchecked surveillance may infringe on:
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of assembly
- Protection from discrimination
Mass surveillance, in particular, can create a chilling effect where individuals self-censor or avoid dissent—even if they have “nothing to hide.”
Public Perceptions of Surveillance
Attitudes toward surveillance vary widely:
- Some users accept monitoring as a necessary trade-off for safety.
- Others, particularly those in marginalized communities or surveillance-heavy regions, experience increased discomfort or distrust.
- Cultural context, political climate, and past misuse of surveillance all shape public opinion.
This diversity in perception underscores the need for inclusive digital policy that accounts for the real-world impact of surveillance on different groups.
Conclusion: Can Surveillance and Privacy Coexist?
Yes—but only under strict conditions:
- Surveillance must be proportional, targeted, and accountable.
- Legal safeguards and independent oversight are critical.
- Users should have transparency and control over their data.
The path forward lies in building privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), enacting clear policy frameworks, and fostering public trust through ethical system design.
Related Reading on BanglaTechInfo
- How Governments Can Implement Ethical Surveillance
- Privacy by Design: Embedding Privacy in App Architecture
- Cybersecurity and Civil Liberties: Finding the Balance
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