IndoorSurveillanceState x

Running Head: INDOOR SURVEILLANCE STATE 1

INDOOR SURVEILLANCE STATE 3

Indoor Surveillance State

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Abstract

Indoor surveillance state relies on the successful implementation of the home automation aspects to provide adequate monitoring and tracking services of the intended individuals. The continuously improved technology coupled with the rise in Artificial Intelligence has made it possible for indoor surveillance to increase significantly, an aspect that significantly compromises individuals’ privacy. Even with the multiple surveillance laws and jurisdictions, individuals are continually monitored secretively while at home and in their workplaces. The increased number of efficient sensors and actuators have made it possible to increase indoor surveillance state, with minimal consideration of the associated risks, such as lack of maintaining the needful privacy to individuals.

The security cameras greatly determine the family and property’s safety as part of the relevant home automation aspects that add an extra comfort level. A quite difficult thing to recognize when it comes to indoor surveillance is choosing the best cameras suitable for satisfying the needs. Unlike outdoor surveillance state comprising of cameras that need to withstand all weather conditions, the indoor cameras may be more lightweight, smaller, and less intrusive. An appropriate indoor surveillance state calls for cameras that utilize infrared features to ensure clear pictures in low light conditions and easy transitions when a sudden change in light occurs. This kind of surveillance state largely depends on the wireless sensor network technologies often integrated into the internet of things to permit a significant global interconnection of multiple smart objects. “Recent advances of microcontroller design and radio technologies have opened the way to an emerging category of wireless network-enabled sensors that serve as smart agents equipped with a low-power dedicated high-performance microcontroller and a large memory space” (Spadacini, Savazzi, & Nicoli, 2014).

Home automation typically affects the indoor surveillance state in a great way, which is mostly influenced by the new emerging technologies seeking to exploit the full capability of the internet of things. The availability of a wireless home automation network as a recent technology provides sufficient technology to make indoor environments intelligent and context-aware. This technology integrates the use of motion sensors, infrared, safety sensors and light switches, and accelerometers. All these sensors and actuators are responsible for intelligently sharing necessary transmission while still interconnecting with each other based on the most suitable wireless architecture. The utilization of smart cameras, smart thermostats, smart lights, smart locks, and doorbells have all reduced the privacy of individuals. “Doorbell cameras are very useful, and there are several great options, like 

Ring Video Doorbell

, 

Vivint Doorbell Camera

, and 

August Doorbell Cam

” (SafeWise, 2021). Their implementation means that it is possible to monitor almost all activities one engages with while indoors, and one cannot deny the movements he or she has made.

The increased sophistication of improved Artificial intelligence products that depend on the internet has helped deter crime because the home automation security devices help prevent criminals from targeting homes and offices to conduct mischief. Home automation adequately helps increase the indoor surveillance state’s functionality, often by monitoring scenarios and activities, bearing in mind that the security appliances involved can be placed anywhere provided there is a power source. They also help to gather evidence about the actions and words of people monitored during an event. Today, home automation devices, including the cameras, are equipped with high- quality video capabilities plus audio, making them more efficient. Besides, home automation maintains records, which are necessary for enhancing indoor surveillance state.

The indoor surveillance state is risky because it compromises personal privacy, although it increases the security posture. Artificial Intelligence’s advancement relying on home automation services is used to track whether individuals are following directives imposed by the government, portraying a significant privacy aspect. For instance, following the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government is making use of the home automation devices to track whether people are maintaining the required social distance.” Earlier this month, the startup Landing AI announced a new social distancing tool that uses artificial intelligence to track whether or not people are staying far enough apart in public spaces” (Linder, 2020). This reduces the chances of spreading the diseases from one person to another, but it also limits personal freedom on the distance covered, and the areas visited. The imposed system can give out verbal warnings when individuals are potentially opening themselves up to contagion. This new surveillance technology monitoring our movements while indoors reflects that people are being forced to provide key information in exchange for surveillance systems that put privacy at great risk (Richard, 2020). For instance, in the workplaces, the organizations may incorporate various home automation devices to monitor and track those employees who are not observing the recommended social distancing intended to curb the spread of the disease.

Indoor surveillance states should follow the common regulations consistent with the surveillance laws, emphasizing the consistency of the justified monitoring avenues focusing on monitoring individuals to protect property and guarantee health and safety amongst all individuals. As households are rapidly adopting technology and being filled with various technology gadgets from smart TVs to home energy management systems, possible computer security occurrences and their effects on homes need to be investigated. New potentials of household technologies allow novel attacks and enable past attacks to have unknown consequences. Therefore, there is a need to mitigate and analyze new and old risks in smart home automation energy controls and environments to reduce burglary. Smart home technology intellectually gives complete control over our households. This technology enables individuals to identify and detect their homes (Scarlata, 2019).

Moreover, this technology facilitates home control through automation of security systems, electrical appliances, audio systems, and lighting systems. Smart homes create a network of all devices and gadgets in homes to ensure communication among each other. Regarding the laws to be laid, establishments require consent to use hidden camera surveillance, and recording of any private conversation will also need consent.

References

Linder, C. (2020, April 30). How the coronavirus could turn the U.S. into a surveillance state. Retrieved from https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/security/a32289996/ai-video-surveillance-coronavirus-social-distancing/

Richard. (2020, March 16). Advantages and disadvantages of using security cameras. Retrieved from https://www.a1securitycameras.com/blog/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-security-cameras/

SafeWise. (2021, January 12). What are the home automation features of security systems? Retrieved from https://www.safewise.com/home-security-faq/home-automation-features/

Scarlata, S. (2019, 25). Video surveillance laws by state. Retrieved from https://mobilevideoguard.com/video-surveillance-laws-by-state/

Spadacini, M., Savazzi, S., & Nicoli, M. (2014). Wireless home automation networks for indoor surveillance: Technologies and experiments. EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, 2014(1). doi:10.1186/1687-1499-2014-6