The Question of Mass Surveillance of Radical Groups
By definition, mass surveillance is the intricate surveillance of an entire or a
substantial fraction of a population. The surveillance is often carried out by governments or
governmental organisations, but may also be carried out by corporations, either on behalf of
governments or at their own initiative. Many countries have used mass surveillance on their
own populations since significant wars or events have taken place, for example 9/11 or
during and after the World Wars and Cold War.
With the advent of programs such as the Total Information Awareness program and
ADVISE, technologies such as high speed surveillance computers and laws such as the
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, governments now possess an
unprecedented ability to monitor the activities of their populations. Many civil rights and
privacy groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and American Civil Liberties
Union, have expressed concern that by allowing continual increases in government
surveillance of citizens we will end up in a mass surveillance society, with extremely
limited, or non-existent political and personal freedoms.
The use of mass surveillance has been strongly opposed for its seemingly invasive nature
and many individuals would argue that their private life was being imposed. Most notable
oppositionist groups include, The Electronic Privacy Information Center, The Electronic
Frontier Foundation, and American Civil Liberties Union. As the world moves into an ever
more technically based era, it is becoming increasingly easy for states to gather information
on civilians and the need for limits to be put in place internationally is becoming an ever
more prevalent issue.
Many governments however would argue that with the rise in radical groups and attacks
across the globe it is becoming ever more necessary for governments to monitor the activity
of its civilians in order to guarantee national security. From February 8th to February 10th, in
just three days, six radical attacks were carried out in Africa and the Middle East, resulting
in the deaths of over thirty civilians, not to mention attacks in Paris and Belgium earlier in
2015. Not forgetting monumental attacks that have taken place in recent years resulting in
the deaths of thousands of civilians.
In order to satisfy both the wishes of civilian populations and the need to guarantee national
security in a world where radical attacks are becoming an ever increasing problem, the
international government must work towards a solution that both addresses the need to
guarantee civilian privacy and security.
WiMUN VII
Points to consider:
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What laws does your country already have in place addressing Mass
Surveillance?
Historically, how has mass surveillance, benefitted/hindered your country and its
civilians?
Has your country been subject to attacks by radical groups? If so, how was this
situation dealt with?
Does the need to guarantee national security outweigh the need to guarantee
individual rights to privacy and freedom?
Useful Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_surveillance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_surveillance_disclosures_%282013%E2%80%93prese
nt%29
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/17/united-nations-rein-mass-surveillance
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/10/15/un-investigator-report-condemns-masssurveillance/
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/the-nsa-files
WiMUN VII