Public records laws must modernize
The public should have greater and more granular visibility into how the technology is being used.
Ensuring the accountability of surveillance technology is crucial in preventing the development of authoritarianism, although when coupled with proper regulation and transparency, it can be an effective tool in combating crime, including instances perpetrated by law enforcement officers. A Washington Post article revealed how 50 police officers were implicated in abusing surveillance technology, utilizing it to stalk former spouses and, in one case, an actress the officers desired to meet.
Critics of such technology may argue against its use by law enforcement, but the perpetrators were ultimately caught by the very surveillance systems they exploited. These sophisticated software programs meticulously record users' every keystroke and action, with all this data being publicly accessible. In essence, surveillance technology has contributed to the removal of these 50 corrupt officers from their duties.
Rather than debating whether such technologies should be employed to combat crime, a more pertinent discussion should focus on whether public records laws need to adapt in light of the technology's application in law enforcement. Abusive power has always existed and will continue to do so, but with increasingly advanced technology, the repercussions of such abuse become more significant.
Therefore, it is essential for the public to have comprehensive and detailed insight into the technology's usage. In other words, surveillance should be reciprocal.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
