PRIVACY IN PUBLIC IS HISTORY
In The streets of major cities it is becoming more difficult to have anonymity. The terrorist attack in New York city on Sept. 11 2011 where the perpetrators were quickly identified was only the beginning. The people responsible for the Boston marathon bombing, and the shooting of U.S. representative Gabrielle Gifford were quickly apprehended. The acts were recorded on video footage from a Lord`s and Taylor store in Boston and a Safeway store near the shooting of Gifford.
Surveillance cameras today have the ability to track thermal differences, distinguish detail and colours in the dark, detect motion, control access , provide point of sale observation , identification and recognition. Facial recognition technology is achieved by matching a real-time image against a claimed identity by using a library of certified images. China`s Golden Shield program aims to use facial recognition to track every one of its 1.3 Billion inhabitants. Their program can verify identity from up to 500 feet. It is easy to see that going to a political rally opposing the Chinese government could be dangerous.
Biometrics is the application of statistical analysis to biological data. You can tell if a person is lying by their body odour. If a password is entered using a different speed and rhythm a fraudulent entry can be apprehended. An ear print of the outer ear as a method of identification is 99.6% accurate and when the cost of doing a DNA test is reducedt there is no avoidance of perfect recognition. Physical patterns are more difficult to alter than behavioral patterns but with these cameras, posture, gesture, and tone and pitch of voice, the biometric features of an individual cannot be hidden.
From the viewpoint of individual freedom the negative aspects of these amazing surveillance discoveries abound, but there are also positive outcomes for the future. You will soon enjoy and governments will save money on remote medical care with sonogram and bood work done from afar. This is being called “telehealth” and with computers continually tracking blood pressure, glucose levels, patients can be monitored monitor 24/7. There are also critical aspects as the system is sterile and unnuturing and unlikely to improve a patient`s psychological well-being.
From the viewpoint of saving money, it was estimated in the U.K that.it could save about $3600 per patient per year over the cost of traditional care This is very relevant with the number of people growing old at this time and needing health care
