Transparent Lives: Surveillance in Canada

251 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2023

See all articles by Colin Bennett

Colin Bennett

Department of Political Science, University of Victoria

Kevin Haggerty

affiliation not provided to SSRN

David Lyon

Queen's University

Valerie Steeves

University of Ottawa - Criminology

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

Although most Canadians are familiar with surveillance cameras and airport security, relatively few are aware of the extent to which the potential for surveillance is now embedded in virtually every aspect of our lives. We cannot walk down a city street, register for a class, pay with a credit card, hop on an airplane, or make a telephone call without data being captured and processed. Where does such information go? Who makes use of it, and for what purpose? Is the loss of control over our personal information merely the price we pay for using social media and other forms of electronic communication, or should we be wary of systems that make us visible—and thus vulnerable—to others as never before? The work of a multidisciplinary research team, Transparent Lives explains why and how surveillance is expanding—mostly unchecked—into every facet of our lives. Through an investigation of the major ways in which both government and private sector organizations gather, monitor, analyze, and share information about ordinary citizens, the volume identifies nine key trends in the processing of personal data that together raise urgent questions of privacy and social justice. Intended not only to inform but to make a difference, the volume is deliberately aimed at a broad audience, including legislators and policymakers, journalists, civil liberties groups, educators, and, above all, the reading public.

Suggested Citation

Bennett, Colin and Haggerty, Kevin and Lyon, David and Steeves, Valerie, Transparent Lives: Surveillance in Canada ( 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4321205 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4321205

Colin Bennett

Department of Political Science, University of Victoria ( email )

3800 Finnerty Rd
Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://www.colinbennett.ca

Kevin Haggerty

affiliation not provided to SSRN

David Lyon

Queen's University ( email )

99 University Ave
Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6
Canada

Valerie Steeves (Contact Author)

University of Ottawa - Criminology ( email )

25 University Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Canada
(613) 562-5800 ext. 1793 (Phone)
(613) 562-5304 (Fax)

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