Surveillance is to be watching or observing closely. When I think about this keyword, I think of private or national security. Whether I am at the airport or a mall, I always feel watched whenever I notice hidden cameras or go through metal detecters. Surveillance also comes into play at a larger scale for monitoring other countries’ activity. However, security cameras only play a small part in surveillance. In this digital era, we are surrounded by surveillance in everything surrounding us. Phones, laptops, watches, doorbells, and even refrigerators can now observe our daily activity. I recall how smart speakers, such as Echo Dots and Google Homes, received much skepticism after reports of them listening in on conversation during the first year or two after its release. As advances in technology continue, I wonder where our society will draw the line to avoid losing their privacy to constant surveillance.
