You may have heard about this already, but a new website was launched recently called Internet Eyes. Idea is that members of the public can sign up for free, and using new software that has been developed, the folk at Internet Eyes live-stream you four images from CCTV cameras. These cameras are owned by private companies - so may be inside shops, protecting property etc. but members won't know where in the country these images are coming from. The rationale is that there are many more CCTV cameras in use than can realistically be watched - so the public is being recruited to help. You don't get paid - but if you see something suspicious you send an alert which goes to the owner of that camera with a snap-shot image of what you have seen. They make a feedback, and on the basis of the quality of your "catch" you are awarded points. The person with the most points each month get £1000.
Maybe it's just a product of our times - but at the same time it raises so many issues...
1. A helpful crime prevention tool - or just "big brother" gone mad?
2. Does it make us feel safer - or more creepy knowing that even random members of the public are potentially watching us even as we shop?
3. Is this making society safer or merely breaching our human rights? (Art. 8 of the European Convention safeguards the right of privacy!)
4. Has life really become so boring for some people they have nothing better to do than endlessly watch computer screens in the "hope" that they see a crime being committed?
5. Have I just helped their recruitment by advertising this service???
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