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Surveillance balloons: how much are we willing to give up in order to feel safer?

Document Citado por Related
Vincent
AutorPaula Jaramillo
Páginas222-224

Page 222

See note 91

That’s the big question behind new surveillance technology implemented by two Santiago City municipalities who are now being questioned for threatening, among other rights, against the neighbors privacy.

"I can imagine, with a chill going down my spine, how clear my room can be seen. Not only during the day, because the camera has night vision too". Stephanie Söffge is able to perfectly see the aerostatic balloon located mere 90 meters from her home’s window. Since the balloon was installed, she had to change her everyday life: "It has forced me to constantly close my windows and I’m not able to live my everyday tranquil life like I used to, I feel watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week".

Söffge suffers the consequences of surveillance aerostatic balloons located in Las Condesas and Lo Barnechea, military technology created in Israel and used on the Gaza strip and in the Mexico-US border. As one can conclude, it is a highly intrusive measure: it posses a 360 degrees camera with night vision and laser pointer, capable of recognize a moving person in a distance of more than 1,5 kilometers, 24 hours a day.

Page 223

By the way, in Chile, the majors of both municipalities had justiied their usage to ight delinquency and reinforce vehicular transit surveillance.

This event makes us think that a discussion regarding privacy and safety must be made seriously and not fall under unsubstantiated arguments. Everyone has the right to a safe life. Should be the trespass of our privacy the price we must pay for it?

This serious discussion is essential in our countries, since most of the citizens are not fully aware of the vital importance of the right to privacy, even to the point to exchange it to the bright promise of better security, without noticing, that along with it we are making that our homes and streets transform into a big open ceiling prison, being watch panoptically by strangers whose interests are unknown to us.

In this context, massive and indiscriminate surveillance measures should not be tolerated in a democratic State of law, under the risk of uncontrolled expansion without taking under account fundamental rights that are being hurt. That’s the reason why Derechos Digitales, along with two others pro Human Rights organizations in Chile, resorted to a writ of protection from Santiago City’s Appeals Court so it can be the legal system can determine, justify and reinforce the fundamental laws implemented.

The...

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