The Legal Implications of Online Surveillance Tools

The Legal Implications of Online Surveillance Tools

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Online surveillance tools allow investigators to observe individuals and their activities in real-time. They could include cameras, microphones, GPS trackers and biometric scanners, such as fingerprint and iris scanners. They can also include software that tracks the computer’s activities like keyloggers.

The use of these tools comes with serious legal implications. They can infringe on human rights and are subject to clear legal frameworks that protect privacy. These frameworks must define the rationales for their use and outline the authorization processes that are required including the oversight of a judge. They should also define limits on data collection and retention.

Lack of transparency when using these tools can be a concern since it can lead people to self-censor out of fear of being monitored. In addition, the widespread use of monitoring social media for threat detection purposes untethered from suspicion of a crime can produce a mountain of irrelevant information that may obstruct information on and resources to address public safety issues.

While these tools can offer law enforcement agencies with significant investigative benefits, they should be subject to specific legal frameworks that ensure human rights. The laws should outline the justifications of their use, define the necessary authorization procedures and set limits on the collection and storage of information. The tools should be subjected to judicial oversight, as an independent judicial review could help prevent misuse of surveillance technology. Additionally, regular reporting and disclosure could increase trust and help in public debate regarding the appropriate amount and limitations of these tools.

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