Big Brother

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of cameras to observe people. Governments around the world have invested countless sums in surveillance systems. In Dave Eggers, The Circle, the company, the Circle, invested into a mass camera program called SeeChange. Both the governments and the Circle put money into those programs to watch people anywhere and everywhere. The systems are suppose to make sure that less crime and abuse occur. Although that is what they are designed to do, they could also be used for some nefarious activities. In this book, Dave Eggers addressed many issues. One such issue being the use of surveillance. On this topic he addressed the benefits and the problems that came with using a large surveillance system.

It seems like now that every street corner, traffic light, and building are accompanied with a surveillance camera. There has been a large influx in video surveillance. Even though some people look at the buildup of more cameras as a bad, there are many benefits to installing cameras. Cameras can be used to deter crime and catch the people who have committed a crime. According to the Urban institute in areas of Baltimore and Chicago where security cameras were placed there was a decrease in the number of crimes committed. Also, the use of security systems led the police to more arrests. One of the many caught by new security systems were the Boston Bombers. Their pictures were caught on camera leaving the scene of the bombing which led to them being identified and captured (“How Surveillance Cameras Help Prevent and Solve Crime”, Vinge).

In the Circle there was a similar situation. Mae took a kayak from a local rental store to go out on the bay. What she did not know was there was a SeeChange camera there watching the beach. The camera was used to positively identify her and led to an arrest. No charges were pressed, but she was still in trouble at work. She was reprimanded and was told that was unbecoming of a Circle employee, but they asked an interesting question. Would you have stolen that kayak if you knew the camera was there. She responded no (“The Circle”, Eggers 176–178). Cameras can be used to prevent crime in the real world and works of fiction. Like with the Boston bombers if the criminals is not deterred then the cameras can be used to identify and locate the suspects. Another plus for using cameras is that they ensure there is no abuse of power. The use of cameras can help prevent authorities from abusing the power given to them. One large group that this applies to is the police. While most police officers are pillars of the community there is a few that misuse their power. Body cameras for police forces are the answer to the problem. In recent year police departments have experimented with using cameras and now it is starting to be used wide spread.

The Huffington post reports that “Equipping police with body cameras may be an effective way to improve the behavior of officers and the public with which they interact,” (Study Shows Less Violence, Fewer Complaints When Cops Wear Body Cameras”, Wing). A study by Florida State that was in the article shows that over a 12 month period that police related incidents decrease. With a 65 percent drop in complaints of the selected officers (Study Shows Less Violence, Fewer Complaints When Cops Wear Body Cameras”, Wing). It can be seen that the use of cameras in the real world help keep the authorities in line. In the Circle one of the main missions that they had was to stop the abuse of power by authoritarian regimes. The company installed cameras many different countries that had a history of abusing their power. Countries like North Korea, Egypt, and other were targeted (“The Circle”, Eggers 49–51). In books, and in real life, cameras can make a difference in the everyday life of people. From preventing crime to ensuring their freedom from an oppressive government, surveillance cameras make a difference.

Although there are many beneficial aspects to cameras, they fail to mention the problems that may occur. There are problems with using cameras for security that are a major cause for concern. One key problem is the concern of who is watching the watchers.

Who is checking to make sure they do not cross the line and break the law. The scary thing is, that when it comes to the NSA it appears no one monitors their actions. In 2013 when Snowden brought to light the extent at which the NSA was spying, it shocked and terrified the world. The big problem is that even the president of the United States was unaware about the realm of spying. Nor did he not authorize all of it. Eventually it came out that the NSA had been spying on the presidents of Germany and Brazil (“The NSA and Obama: Who Watches the Watchers?”, Cassidy). In the Circle, this issue was made visible. The system that collected all of the information about people was, for the most part, automated. This allowed the person that was charge of it complete power to monitor as they wished (“The Circle”, Eggers 52–53). Another problem with installing all of the cameras is the abuses of the system by the people that watch the cameras. A Detroit Free Press investigation into the Michigan troopers uncovered multiple problems. The officers used the cameras to stalk women and threaten motorist with tickets.

Also, in Washington, D.C. in the late 1990’s there was a big problem with blackmail. The cops would watch the cameras for people entering a gay bar and then run the peoples license plates. The cops would black mail the people that were married (“What’s Wrong with public Surveillance”). A similar case of black mail happened in the Circle. One of Mae’s sexual partners recorded them having sex. He refused to delete and uploaded it (“The Circle”, Eggers 52–53). The video that was recorded was personal and was used in the wrong manner, just like the video of the patrons of the gay bar. It is evident that there are many major issues with the surveillance system the way it is used currently.

With the rise of more security cameras becoming more and more of a topic for concern, the pros and cons of it should be examined. Examined not just by the people that rule over the people they are spying on, but by the masses. They should determine if they want more intrusion into their lives. The benefits and the detriment of increase surveillance should be scrutinize in depth to determine its validity.

Work Cited

Cassidy, John. “The N.S.A. and Obama: Who Watches the Watchers?” The New Yorker. N.p., 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

Eggers, Dave. The Circle: A Novel. New York: Random House, 2013. Print.

Vinge, Nancy. “How Surveillance Cameras Can Help Prevent and Solve Crime.” Urban Institute. Urban Institute, 23 Apr. 2013. Web.

“What’s Wrong With Public Video Surveillance?” American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU, n.d. Web. 28

Apr. 2016.

Wing, Nick. “Study Show Less Violence, Fewer Complaints When Cops Wear Body Cameras.” Huffpost. N.p., 23 Oct. 2015. Web.

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