The balance between privacy and safety: the ethics of public video surveillance

Abstract

The following article explores the balance between privacy and safety in the context of public video surveillance from an ethical perspective. It aims to study its impacts on individual privacy, public security, and social norms. This research provide an in-depth investigation of the implications of surveillance through a detailed analysis based on an extensive review of academic literature, press articles, and surveys. While surveillance undeniably aids in crime prevention and investigation, it also raises critical concerns about personal freedom and the risk of mass monitoring. The paper begins with the positive aspects of public video surveillance on the well-being of society and continues with its potential downsides such as privacy violation. Legal considerations are an essential part of the analysis. These findings highlight the importance of a balanced approach between public safety and individual confidentiality, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of public surveillance's ethical aspect and its impact on society. This study enhances the ethical debate on public surveillance, suggesting that achieving an equilibrium between privacy and safety is both a possible and a crucial objective.