Learning Takeaways for Week 6.

Eyes in the Skies

Camera vs GPS

Discussion of visual information (cameras) vs tracing devices.

What is more intrusive GPS or camera?

Due to the fact that cameras are stationary GPS devices are more invasive.

Fourth amendment rights.

Does the 4th amendment cover cameras on public property?

The 4th amendment does not preclude technology being more proficient than people. A camera does the same job an agent could do, it just does it more effectively.

Upcoming events

We talked about the looming encryption battle being fought by Apple.

The government wants Apple to create a new program so that the police can gain access to a terrorists password protected phone.

Drones

Are they born evil or are they just used for evil?

There are already Civil laws in place to keep drones from being use by peeping toms as well as other civil disputes.  

Criminal law are also in place.

There are drone restrictive laws in 35 states.

With great power comes great responsibility

Should police use drone for surveillance?

In our discussion the point was brought up that drones are separate. The person operating them could be miles away and their only view is the camera which could lead to certain footage being taken out of context.

Protection against drones

Drone restriction laws: if it’s over half a pound you have to register it. That way someone can report a drone if they need to.

Can’t fly at night, without the proper permits.

There are more drone restrictions in play to protect public airspace then there are privacy protections.

Reasonable expectation of privacy

No one expects to be watched from above.

Should to advent of drones impact someone's reasonable expectation of privacy?

The future of drones

Could flying drones replace traffic cops?

What about human discretion? Can a flying robot be trusted with this job?

Body cams.

Benefits - unbiased evidence of events

Drawbacks - innovative of privacy and fear of big brother

Body Cam Concerns

When should these body camera be recording?

Should people be made awar that they are being recorded?

How could we tell them?

What about the victims in the cases, should they be subject to these recordings?

In our discussion someone expressed the opinion that body cams should be on at all times. The police should not get to pick a choose what is recorded.

We also discussed to possibility of police officers wearing signs to let the public know that they are being recorded.

How long should the video be retained?

What if one person wants it deleted and someone does not?

should videos be treated like other evidence?

Who had access to the video tape?

Should the footage be made public?  

If all body cam footage is made public will it still be possible to find an unbiased jury in criminal cases?

Should facial recognition be employed on these body cams?

Word of the day

Sousveillance: is the recording of an activity by a participant in the activity, typically by way of small wearable or portable personal technologies.