Surveillance

Different forms of surveillance are a hot topic, and will probably be so for a long time. In the article “Snooping bosses”, surveillance at work is discussed. Reading this article did not make my opinion when it comes to surveillance clearer, though, I will give it a try to reflect over the phenomena.

In general I am against snooping at work and I like to keep my private life to my self or to those I choose to share it with. Though - under some circumstances I think a certain amount of surveillance could be accepted.

Take for an example when your co-worker surf on Face book, You Tube, or whatever it might be, while you do all the work. This is – I hope – to draw it to the limit, but I think you see my point. A certain amount of surveillance could take the edge of that kind of surfing, which also might improve the climate at work between colleagues since talking behind the back about surfers “while we other do all the work” probably will end if there is a harder pressure from the bosses to stop the non-work related surfing.

If there is an obvious problem with personal matters being taken care of in working hours in a workplace, a certain amount of surveillance could help. Though - this surveillance should be known to the employees. Even if I think this kind of snooping, in small amounts, is justified, it might not be the best way to raise the moral. Other ways too deal with the problem could be less intruding on ones personal life, and also make the personal more positively inclined to the company and the company leaders – leading to a better working moral.

The “snooping” should of course keep within reasonable limits. Ones personal life should still be able to keep private, and I really do not think the surveillance should be so severe that it brings on an unpleasant feeling of supervision. The article “Snooping bosses” tells that there are companies hiring people just to sift through e-mail. This is a kind of surveillance I think is way too much. Even listening at, and tracking, a phone call is a bit too much according to me. Even if I do not think I have anything to worry about, the knowledge that someone else is listening at the conversation makes me feel uncomfortable. Even worse might be a tracking chip in my cell phone, or in my arm…

Over all, I think you should be careful with what you post on the net. Even if you think it would do no harm, everything cold be watched, and when you realise you would like to keep your privacy – it is too late.

When it comes to surveillance in our society I am just as torn. The regular use of store member cards is one way of surveillance that I have agreed to. I know that the stores can control my purchasing habits and use it for several purposes. As long as I am aware of it, and it is with my acceptance I think it is ok. Other ways means that I do not have a choice. Camera surveillance is one example. It could be the same as safety, but at the same time it might be in conflict with my integrity. Is it worth it? Probably, but I am not sure. In the wrong hands, in the wrong purpose, it can all of a sudden turn in to something I would never even dream about. Anyway. So far, so good. No real worries about the surveillance of today (maybe because I am so used to it). The surveillance of tomorrow might on the other hand be a whole other deal… What if we do not get a choice? What if we have to get the chip inside us, what if we will be constantly surveilled? Not a tempting thought, but the future will tell.