engleski

On Data Gathering and Surveillance

Data gathering and surveillance are practiced for business and security purposes, but the results of these activities can be used also for other purposes. Various kinds of data gathering, observations and surveillance can facilitate a manipulation and exploitation of the people, and allow the holders of power to shape the social reality in the ways that serve their interests. Those who possess knowledge about others, possess a power over them, and they can use this power in various ways. In this context, the paper deals with the issues of data gathering and of a massive observation and surveillance of the people. We argue that unlimited data gathering, observation, surveillance and targeting of the people with specific messages, leads towards a totalitarian society. Relying on the power of technology, the classical capitalist narrative has created a new business civilization which nominally promotes openness and freedom, but which shows clear totalitarian tendencies. The trinity Technology, Business and Security can bring to people a lot of good, but also a lot of evil.

data gathering; consumer profiles; observation; privacy; surveillance; targeting; business civilization; totalitarian society

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