So the scenario is this: thousands maybe millions of CCTV cameras hidden in stores, business, and streets across a country; the public is encouraged to join a game as the viewing crime-fighting audience; crime-fighters monitor the cameras and when they spot a crime they click their way to points and possibly win a monetary prize.
Sounds like the plot of a bizarre SciFi movie, right? Well, as incredible as this sounds it’s actually the premise of a business model called Internet Eyes, initially launched in the UK in 2009 and on a three month trial now. What’s even more incredible is that it’s not new. According to disinformation a very similar, failed concept called Texas Virtual Border Watch Program was launched in Texas in 2008.
Naturally, depending on your perspective your opinion on this scheme will vary. Some business owners support the idea if it can help protect their businesses. On the other side, there are those who raise the questions of privacy and victimization.
“Armadillo by the water” was one of the comical reports that came through the Texas Watch program. Can you imagine on Internet Eyes, “Lad loitering in the fag aisle.”(by the way a fag is a cigarette). I think turning crime fighting -- packaged as a game -- over to the hands of untrained citizens could be disastrous and potentially dangerous. People, motivated by the prospect of winning £1000., could be tempted to make bogus reports, invade people’s privacy snooping an spying and even victimize others, something British civil rights groups are very concerned about.
It’s already unnerving to know that you’re being watched by security personnel while shopping but to be watched by millions of pairs of paranoid, greedy eyes is disconcerting. Talk about an Orwellian experience.
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First, I enjoyed reading your post and surprised that we both used a comic from the same website (btw yours is much better than the one I used).
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, this company is trying to market their concept as a catch-a-criminal game and some kind of social project at the same time.
I am pretty sure that this company has very strong privacy policy contracts for both (the observer user and the businesses affiliates) to avoid fake reports and privacy issues.
Also, I am assuming, that every time an observer reports a suspicious activity, the Internet Eyes administration will review this information to make sure the report was real.
I can see the potential in this concept but I believe there are still some ethical issues to be considered.
Nice research!
At first it does seem a bit scary that any number of people could be watching your every move while you're in a store, but it doesn't really bother me too much. I mean, what is there really to be scared of? You're already undoubtedly being watched in most stores by the stores security personnel, so add in a few other people from the internet and all you have are a few additional eyes on you. And once you leave the store, the observing stops (unless you have your Facebook URL written on your forehead) as long as you haven't done anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of Internet Eyes is by far a concept that violates people’s right to privacy. As far as legality the European Union is the only place where the Internet Eyes Spies are allowed to be from and view. The problem with Internet Eyes gaining popularity in the U.S. is because it require those being viewed to sign a waiver of identification. This is why often you see on shows such as COPS the person’s identity is blocked for the protection of that person. Also Internet Eyes website requires the user to pay a monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription for the opportunity to win prizes.
ReplyDeleteThis is a coment for Nicks comment first on this blog. I believe its not about doing something wrong or not. Is the fact that everyday on averge american is capturesd an estimated 100 times a day by security camaras. Can you imagine the danger if someone could actually moniter your life through a security camara???/ Someone who you dont even know what they are capable of. Its not only individuals that are going to be jeprodized in this case...its institutions..offices, buildings...just more room for terroism at every scale.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your post and like the fact that you used a comical reference. As you mentioned the view will always depend on which side of the coin you are. This company might benefit the owners of different stablishments but I still believe that trained professionals need to handle this situations.
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