Overview of Surveillance

Surveillance involves using means to monitor a person's actions and interactions. Main areas of surveillance include electronic surveillance and computer surveillance.

Surveillance Legislation

Key surveillance legislation includes the Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications Act, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act,the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, U.S. Patriot Act and REAL ID Act.

Development of Surveillance Laws

Traditionally, electronic surveillance regulated common forms of wiretapping -- any interception of a telephone transmission by accessing the telephone signal directly. However, as technology advances innovations such as social media and telephony challenge the efficacy of traditional surveillance legislation. Now, electronic surveillance incorporates various forms of technology including: cell phones, cell towers, pen traps and traces, mobile tracking devices, GPS, RFID and more. These devices enable more precise electronic monitoring while challenging traditional notions of privacy.

References

External Links

• Video Surveillance
• Privacy - Surveillance and Wiretapping
• Nanotechnology and Surveillance
• Surveillance and Broadcast Services

Related Resources on FindLaw

• Has the law regarding telephone taps and other surveillance changed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001?
• Can employers use video cameras to monitor workers?
• Wiretapping and Eavesdropping
• Why Congress Needs to Probe the NSA Domestic Surveillance Program: The Bush Administration's Promise to Secure Prior Warrants Is a Positive Step, But Oversight is Required
• Bill May Put Stop to Surveillance in Workers' Comp Cases
• Coke Provokes Strike Over Employee Surveillance, Failure to Bargain
• Why, Even If You Have Nothing To Hide, Government Surveillance Threatens Your Freedom: The Case Against Expanding Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Powers
• THE ACLU ON SURVEILLANCE: Despite Its Overarching Assessment Of How Monitoring Harms Privacy,A New Report Fails To Offer Constructive Solutions
• Can a City Require Surveillance Cameras in Cybercafes Without Violating the First Amendment? A California Court Rules on the Issue
• A Public School Allegedly Spies on Students By Using Webcams on Laptops: Is Such Surveillance Legal?

Related Blogs on FindLaw

See Also

• Computer Surveillance
• Electronic Surveillance
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
• Computer Forensics
• Privacy
• USA PATRIOT Act of 2001
• Wiretapping
• Internet Law
• Pen Register
• Smart Grid
• Cyberlaw
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
• Electronic snooping
• Espionage