Introduction to Surveillance Studies

PREVALENCE OF SURVEILLANCE

KEY CONCEPTS

• prevalence of different kinds of surveillance

• use and abuse of spy devices

• public controversy and accountability

Introduction

How prevalent are surveillance devices?

Many devices sold for other purposes are used for surveillance. Many devices sold for surveillance aren’t regularly monitored. Some devices are fake—they only look like video cameras or motion sensors—there are no electronics installed.

One security and communications company alone has installed almost 50,000 cameras on trains and buses in the EU, and there are tens of thousands of companies selling similar products. Optical surveillance is only one of many forms of surveillance.

The truth is, no one knows how many surveillance ...