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| The increasing invasion of Surveillance in our modern lives |
Big Brother Surveillance is increasing in our modern day society and becoming ever more intrusive, as surveillance increases..... so privacy decreases. Some people do not mind losing some privacy in exchange for an increase in security? If it helps to find criminals and terrorists then it is a small price to pay. The problem is, where does surveillance end and basic human rights to privacy begin?
This article delves into the very fine line between privacy and surveillance and also takes a look at what the Bible has to say about Privacy and Surveillance, if anything at all.
Mass Surveillance according to Wikipedia
Mass surveillance is the intricate surveillance of an entire or a substantial fraction of a population in order to monitor that group of citizens.[1] The surveillance is often carried out by governments or governmental organisations, but may also be carried out by corporations, either on behalf of governments or at their own initiative.
The idea for this all started after spotting a bizarre tweet with the picture of a loo roll in a holder, found on Twitter which on the surface sounded hilarious, but on closer inspection has much more sinister undertones. It was tweeted out on the Twelve Gates Twitter feed @ThatFJ and as expected got limited interest and probably a few people scratching their heads as a result.
https://mobile.twitter.com/ThatFJ/status/843764584225914880
Here's a sample from this excellent article from the Guardian a couple of days ago that sheds some light on this new totally ridiculous system.
One of Beijing’s busiest public toilets is fighting the scourge of paper theft through the use of technology – giving out loo roll only to patrons who use a face scanner.
The automated facial recognition dispenser comes as a response to elderly residents removing large amounts of toilet paper for use at home.
Now, those in need of paper must stand in front of a high-definition camera for three seconds, after removing hats and glasses, before a 60cm ration is released.
Those who come too often will be denied, and everyone must wait nine minutes before they can use the machine again.
A local went on to make a very valid point:
"I thought the toilet was the last place I had a right to privacy, but they are watching me in there too,” wrote one use on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter
In this day and age. Obviously NOT!
The thing is, it is the sign of the times that we are living in at present and conspiracy theorists and quite rightly so, are saying this is all paving the way for the Orwellian New World Order where your every move, speech, actions and even thoughts are monitored.
What forms of surveillance exist right now in our modern day lives that we take for granted but are intrusive none the less.
1. Stores, supermarkets, restaurants, fast food outlets, libraries, shopping malls and other public areas including Stations, Outdoor Events and Government Buildings.
2. Public transport including Buses, Underground, Trains, Airports
3. General outdoor areas such as Street Cameras, Traffic Cameras, Speeding Cameras
4. Internet Usage via cookies, browsers, IP address and other techniques to monitor your activity
5. Technology such as mobile phones and tablets contain apps that can monitor your usage and also even hear what you are saying when you don't want them to. The recent Smart TV's with voice recognition being a case point.
6. Via banking details and card payments and cash withdrawals.
7. Vehicle tracking systems
8. Cameras at work in offices and factories to monitor actions, movements and productivity.
9. Emerging nano technology the size of a fly is capable of monitoring anybody or anything for days if not weeks without even being seen.
The list just goes on and on!
Going back to the Facial recognition for Toilet Paper in China fiasco, as one local mentioned, Public Toilets are the one last place where somebody can have a bit of privacy and go about their personal business. Is China setting a new precedent so that even our toilet habits, how long we spend and how many sheets of paper are used will be monitored whether we like it or not? This is just as bizarre as the recent LGBT Toilet guidelines that made the headlines in the US.
What does the Bible have to say about Surveillance and Privacy?
Which brings us onto the Bible. What does the Bible have to say about Privacy and Surveillance. A famous quote from Luke illustrates a point about Privacy.
Luke 12:2-3
“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.”
“Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
Christians are well aware that our moves, thoughts and actions are monitored on a daily basis by The Lord,. If you are in the faith you will be able to recall countless times when that was the case and what happened was not merely a coincidence. It is a form of surveillance, but it is not intrusive or invasive such as the increasing surveillance tactics being used in our modern times. This sort of surveillance is more like a loving parent looking out for us in the background and correcting us when we are going astray or doing something wrong. Not the in your face hyper high tech not trusting anybody surveillance that we see everywhere today.
Summary
Increasingly in our modern society the line between Security and Surveillance and Privacy is becoming increasingly blurred. People are becoming aware that not only their rights and privacy are being infringed, on a daily basis, but increasingly there is nothing you can do to avoid being monitored and tracked and your every move being analysed. The recent headline of the Terrorist attack in London illustrates that surveillance is useful but what was learnt from this incident is that especially in crowded places, people themselves can be the best form of surveillance, right there at ground level as the news reports illustrated.
Revelation 13 and the Beast System it's it's accompanying the New World Order springs to mind when surveillance and privacy come into question. The question is if toilets could be next on a global basis, will our homes be the final privacy barrier to fall down and be removed with not only public surveillance but also private surveillance becoming compulsory?
Bible Quotes
Bible quotes that ensure us that God is always watching over us but always in a loving, caring and unobtrusive way.
Genesis 28:15 - "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Proverbs 15:3 - The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Deuteronomy 11:12 - It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.
Matthew 6:4 - So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Psalm 121:8 - The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
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