Online surveillance tools are utilized by police and intelligence agencies to monitor, record and examine digital activity. They include security software for online use and hardware cameras that connect to a server in order to store and manage information. Surveillance systems allow investigators trace a person’s place of residence, identify their physical characteristics, and identify any suspicious behavior. They can be used to detect any potential theft or sabotage of sensitive information.

Governments should ensure that the design, acquisition and operation of surveillance technologies is informed by respect for privacy and human rights principles, which includes the protection of bodily autonomy, avoiding interference with personal freedoms and restricting the collection and retention of data. This means setting clear boundaries on the types of information being collected, and ensuring that this technology is only deployed only when it is essential and appropriate to achieve legitimate objectives in a given context, and ensuring access to legal counsel for those concerned about their use.

Although authorities may claim that these tools are required to combat terrorist activities Human rights organizations argue the inmotion hosting vs dreamhost widespread use of these technologies could lead to misuse of discretion and power by police officers. There are a number of US agencies have reportedly utilized surveillance software, including facial recognition and social media mining to screen citizens and tourists in public places or to monitor activists and protesters.

BrickHouse Security offers a variety of counter surveillance tools to protect privacy and prevent unwanted monitoring. They include portable detectors that can sweep a space within a matter of seconds for hidden cameras, and white noise masking devices which stop recording devices from picking up voices up.