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Doktor Jon's Comments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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That said, this particular tool is only a very small part of a rapidly developing “Video Analytics” armoury, where numerous commercial and scientific research groups around the world, are rushing to develop workable computer based smart systems, that can for example provide dependable facial recognition (at best, it's generally only around 30 - 50% efficient at present), object and target tracking and behavioural analysis, particularly for anti terrorism or Homeland Security use, and seriously clever technology that can help investigators search through vast amounts of recorded data looking for a specific object or individual. This latter development holds enormous potential for improving existing control room operations by reducing the inevitable data overload, particularly where a single operator may already be responsible for monitoring dozens or more remote control cameras. Mind you, whilst existing technology already provides for the possibility of automatically tracking a single moving target, in the not too distant future using very high resolution Mega Pixel surveillance cameras, computers will be able to track multiple targets on screen, and so effectively follow a number of individuals movements within a given area, and all without the involvement of any human operator. It's interesting that whilst the technology continues to develop at a breathtaking pace, any attempt to regulate or oversee the way in which it is applied, is still fixed firmly somewhere back in the dark ages. Civil libertarians have for many years cautioned over the unfettered adoption of CCTV, and its potential for abuse and misuse. In fact, the perception that its negative effects in terms of privacy concerns for the law abiding, has not been mitigated by any significant impact on the behaviour of the law defying, has in itself become something of a cause celebres amongst those in the know. Whilst it's reasonable to say that historically technical indiscretions by system operators are by no means commonplace, it is becoming an increasingly difficult environment to foresee the appropriate and responsible use of this undoubtedly powerful technology, unless effective steps are taken to provide some practical form of regulation, perhaps through the establishment of an independent Public Surveillance Inspectorate. Whilst the tired old mantra of ‘if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about' may provide a cloak of comfort to those most happy to unreservedly embrace whatever is being offered, the fact remains that even using the most technically impressive systems available, there is a potential for mistaken identity, and this can have dire consequences for any innocent but accused individual. It's interesting to note that whilst the figure of 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK has been bandied about for quite a few years now, it is probably fair to say that whatever the true number was then, it has most certainly significantly increased in recent times. With the distinct possibility that the vast majority of the UKs video surveillance cameras are now resting somewhere between invariably inefficient operation, and an embarrassing waste of investment, it is rather ironic that around the world we are held up to be the masters at applying this technology, with untold countries gleefully queueing up to follow our less than exemplary example. Sad to say, but early indications are that they are more than willing to make exactly the same mistakes as us, in a frantic yet understandable desire to play catch up. Video surveillance is already an extremely powerful tool, and its potential for development over the next few years would be like comparing a pocket camcorder to a Box Brownie. We can either have an informed and long overdue debate about the future for our surveillance society, or accept that inevitably the concept of an individual being considered innocent until proven guilty, will invariably be technologically replaced with potentially guilty .... until the computer says no!
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