We Have the Technology – Now What?
Our local PBS station is currently running the Frontline series – United States of Secrets. This program focuses on the release of NSA documents by Edward Snowden. Part 1 covered the history and rationale underlying the development of “The Program” by NSA. The goal of The Program was to monitor all communication, of everyone, to identify potential terrorists.
The U.S. government is not the only one collecting, storing and analyzing “big data.”
So are organizations.
This includes data associated with video surveillance, keyless entry systems, computer and cell phone monitoring and GPS tracking. Often, this surveillance is focused on workers. The rationale given for this monitoring is often worker safety and security.
- Video cameras provide security – for people and property.
- GPS-enabled devices can provide the data needed to rescue individuals in remote locations.
- Data from keyless entry systems may be useful in emergency evacuations.
Yet, advances in technology can present new ethical challenges.
The data being collected for safety and security purposes can also be used for less altruistic purposes.
- Video cameras can be used for covert surveillance of locker rooms and restrooms.
- Computer and cell phone monitoring can turn into cyber-stalking.
- GPS location data can be used for real-world harassment.
With Snowden’s release of information about NSA’s activities, the U.S. government is faced with addressing the challenges posed by the collection of electronic data. Decisions will need to be made on when “big data” is collected and, more importantly, how it is stored and used.
Organizations, and OH&S professionals, will need to do so as well.
Related Resources:
To learn more about the Frontline program – United States of Secrets – go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/united-states-of-secrets/.
Click here to go to the page of resources about workplace privacy on the ACLU website.
