Surveillance Technology - Moeko Sakate

    Some people think surveillance technology is invading their privacy. And most think it is too convenient for them to give up the technology even though they are worrying about their privacy. I totally agree that CCTV cameras are able to watch our behavior, and facial recognition technology can be checking our face all the time, and also microchips in products might be sending our location to their producers. However, does it really mean they are invading your privacy? When I think about the possibility of such products feeding our information back to producers, I become really uncomfortable. Speaking of merits for those producers, however, this feedback bring profits when they get them as statistical data. In other words, when a number of feedback get together and become one big data, it becomes beneficial for producers. That means no one checking what "I" am doing or "my" go-to shops. They want to know what "people" are doing or "their" preference. Therefore I believe surveillance system itself is not dangerous so far. Of course I'm supposing these producers and their company are based on good character. Still there are some possible dangers behind the technology. I want to mention two risks.

    First, it is when this personal information is attacked. For criminals and those who want to abuse personal information, this feedback is a cash cow. And they desperately want them. That's why those producers and companies which deal with personal information need to be extremely careful and have to have high security. 

    Second, at least some countries like Japan and New Zealand have the idea of personal privacy. And most people in these countries share the value that you need to respect other's privacy and also your privacy need to be respected by others. What is horrible is low awareness of protecting privacy. Good character and high-secured personal information are realized by our awareness of our privacy.