Social media as the new platform for diffusion of CCTV and mobile surveillance systems

Abstract

In today’s modern society it has become common for people to make use of mobile devices and ‘Closed Circuit Television’ (CCTV) surveillance for many reasons. This content can at times end up being shared on social media, an online platform where individuals find it easy to share private and public content. This dissertation explores the use of cameras as a way of mapping societies in the media ecosystem and how this content is being circulated. It will focus on how mobile device and CCTV footage can go viral on the internet, how its content bounces from one side to the other in which creates a new platform for diffusion of surveillance data, which leads to a series of ethical questions and responsibilities. Keeping in mind that surveillance is a vast subject, this dissertation will focus on CCTV and mobile/social media surveillance. This dissertation addresses potential implications of shared CCTV and mobile footage that may influence their audience on social media networks and whether sharing these footage serves as a new method for the civil enforcement against criminality. Will delve into what the law states about the DPA and GDPR as insurance for people involved in CCTV and mobile footage, whether it is right for a person to share this content, and whether the law protects this content when it is used as evidence in trials. A study of past local cases will be carried out related to the subject involving both CCTV and mobile devices and will seek for information through semi-structured interviews. This philosophy led to several diverse opinions that argued in relation to laws as opposed to ethical challenges. Since the law may contradict itself while there is a wide-reach of opinions, ethical concerns in relation rights to privacy in comparison with testimonies and penalties in trial is still vague.