Is it ok that our lives are constantly monitored? Do u believe it's fine if you've got nothing to hide?

Question

I feel like we're constantly being monitored, not just by cctv cameras but also by credit checking companies, through our mobile phone records etc...The government and companies have loads of information on us that we haven't necessarily chosen to give them.

Do you think it's ok since it can make us feel safer and protect us in some way? Do you believe that you have nothing to worry about it if you've got nothing to hide, so what's the problem?

Or do you think that it poses problems and is something that we should resist? And why?

Answer 1

That's a good question. Well, I'm not an advocate of the whole monitoring system in the nation I mean, for the most part I don't mind, but then again, it feels like a third party is intervening in my life and that does create uneasiness. My biggest concern is that the monitoring our lives is soon going to lead completely controlling every aspect in your lives. In some ways, I am seeing that happening today. Especially, in the policies that schools are adopting. I know this isn't completely related to monitoring, but my son's school banned students from wearing shirts that have offensive saying or even slight chance of provoking a fight (ex. if you wear a military shirt). I mean, in some ways that is understandable, but I feel as if their right to express themselves is being taken away. Not only that, but I heard that students are not permitted to dye their hair in certain colors. I think it all comes down to this, if one group of people are not content with something, people who have the ability to makes chances in that area, make change it around until it appeals to them. I think we're on the verge of heading to the wrong direction.

Answer 2

Look up the term Agnostic. I went through the same exact thing when I was young. I believed in God as though he were.... Real... and then I woke up one morning and realized that things did not mesh. I started asking questions to figure our why and after a while I was told not to ask questions anymore. I begged to leave the church and got my way at 13. I have never looked back and I don't feel bad at all for not going and not believing. I feel that my life has gotten better since I disowned the church. I no longer pray and wait, I do. That had made things much better. I no longer fear temptation but instead deal with it as it comes. I no longer feel the need to control people so they don't do anything bad, but instead feel I can walk away when things are not the way I was taught they should be. All in all I am a much more tolerant and caring person, and I listen much better because I do not have a moral imperative. However I still am very offended by people trying to give me religious pamphlets and trying to impose their morals upon me. In my experience the church creates the evil it fights against, and I want nothing to do with it. Having read your additional comments I just want to say that I was also raised poor. It was not that we had to be, my dad thought that being humble would make him richer in the after life. That always really hurt our family. I was also told that I could not be beautiful because a beautiful woman tempts men and that would make me some kind of Jezebelle. I have had issues about that my entire life, but I am doing better now. I was told every day how "lucky" I was because I was alive - never mind the sibling abuse, the house that never got above 60 degrees, the rats that lived in our well, wearing used clothes and being picked on, not being allowed to have any make up, having other kids telling me they could not hang out because of my crazy religious parents, having to be home schooled because of the bad kids in school... I was lucky because "Jesus loved me". I still think that religion is just an excuse to abuse your kids. These so called christians can hate me for it, I would rather have them hate me then try to seek their approval. All that has done is hurt me. But what I think you need right now is this: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A CHRISTIAN! You don't have to believe, you might not even go to hell, there might not even be one. We don't know any better then you do, so trust yourself - you know what is best for you.

Answer 3

It depends on which side of the divide you fall on this one. My opinion is we are already in the dangerous territory of the BIG BROTHER state.
I think all will agree that the present Government has done more in ten years to undermine the individuals right to privacy than any other in history.
The majority of present & proposed surveillance methods have been introduced under the headings of "the war on terror" and of course the old favourite "nothing to hide - nothing to fear"
The amount of technology now used to gather information on the individual is frightening to say the least. The major problem is most people see no harm in this being quite happy to plod along without seeing the larger picture. The strategy is to introduce a new form of surveillance and see if the public object - if not then through it goes. If they do then suspend the idea and re-introduce at a later stage under a new heading.
A prime example: Trackers on all vehicles. Proposed in 2003 as "an aid to the fight against terrorism and crime". Opposed by too many people so dropped. Re-introduced 2007 "an aid to cut traffic congestion" Hardly any opposition. Clever Eh?
You can guarantee that one of the first establishments to gain access to the system will be the Police "as an aid to the fight against crime and terrorism"
I have no criminal record and nothing to hide but we are already living in an Orwellian society which can only get worse.

Answer 4

There are 60 million in this Country, is anyone really interested in the individual, or has time to be interested, if nothing suspicious is being done? Personally I am thankful that the vast majority of the "monitoring" is there to protect both me and all law abiding people. Those who whinge on about cctv, speed cameras et al are usually fearful that their "freedom" to break the law may be curtailed. Where would hundreds be now in London or Glasgow were it not for the Security Services and the monitoring they do? It is likely that if a family member of a whinger were, say, raped the call for cctv footage of the culprit would be strident.

Answer 5

It's not ok, mainly because they cannot guarantee that information to be protected. Sure they are not interested in everyone but anyone can be plucked & their information misused for the powers that be. Also such databases can & has been hacked numerous times.

cctv, credit checks, ... microchipping....where does it stop?

I would be much happier if the exchange of info was both ways. Since they have all my info why shouldn't I have the right to have all info of the people monitoring me. Atleast that way, if something goes wrong (human error and all) there's someone accountable.

Answer 6

My wife and I were driving the other day and noticing all of the cameras everywhere. We talked about how many times a day we are probably photographed without even being aware of it. It doesn't bother me because I have nothing to hide from anyone. I actually think it keeps us safer on a whole. I don't know why it bothers anyone unless they are doing something they don't want anyone else to know about. The footage from those security cameras comes in handy a lot of times helps solve the crime.

Answer 7

Not constantly. only when someone is trying to protect your security from others who might do you harm. like at a bank machine, or on the subway.

Tell you what though if you don't like all this safety there are plenty of governments that don't give a flying F*CK about your safety .

go live under one of them

Answer 8

I asked a high ranking police officer who had a house with a private garden that was not overlooked if he would object to a new block of flats that would look into his garden. I told him he had no need to worry as he was not breaking the law in his garden.

Answer 9

It does not worry me as Ive got nothing to hide, and with the current situation with terrorists, murderers & peadofiles, knife attacks and more i think its a good thing and there for the safty of our children and ourselves !.

Answer 10

we are the 5th most monitored country in the world (the UK) and its not ok.

i dont believe those who watch do it for our good, but for our control

we need to reverse the camera/data obsession before its too late and the suede/denim secret police come knocking when your tax return is late...