21st-Century Surveillance Technologies

Gr 9 Up—Big Brother is watching, or so it would seem in this exhaustive work. Surveillance and spying have existed for centuries, but technological advancement over recent decades has changed the way information is gathered, causing alarm. The pros and cons of both past and current spy tactics are explored, as is big business's practice of data mining for marketing purposes. Past and current legislation and the ethics of government and economic surveillance are looked at with a critical eye. Heavy emphasis is placed on the need for national security and the controversies surrounding government practices and the protection of individuals' privacy rights. Cybersecurity and risks to personal privacy through the use of today's high-tech, sophisticated modes of communication are also explored. Extremely current case studies appear in frequent sidebars, while time lines, relevant organizational contact information, and additional resources are included in the back matter.