Online surveillance tools permit investigators to track individuals and their activities in real-time. They could include cameras and microphones, GPS trackers, and biometric scanners such as fingerprint and iris scans. They may also include software that monitors computer activities, for example keyloggers.
The use of these tools has serious legal implications. They can be a violation of human rights and should be subject to clear legal frameworks which guarantee privacy. These frameworks must define the reasons for their use, and outline the authorisation processes, including the judicial oversight. They should also stipulate the limits of data collection and retention.
Lack of transparency when using these tools could be a problem as it can encourage people to self-censor out of fear of being viewed. In addition, the broad use of monitoring on social media platforms for the purpose of detecting threats, free from suspicions of wrongdoing may generate reams of useless information that may obstruct information about and sources for — actual security concerns for the public.
These tools may be of great help to law enforcement agencies in the context of investigations, but they must be subject to clearly defined legal frameworks that safeguard the rights of individuals. The laws must specify the rationales for their use, stipulate necessary authorisation processes and stipulate limitations on the storage and collection of data. The tools should be subject to judicial oversight since an independent judicial review could aid in preventing misuse of surveillance technology. Additionally regular reporting and disclosure could build trust and facilitate public debate on the appropriate size and limits of these tools.