surveillance (2024)

Surveillance is the act of observing another in order to gather evidence. Surveillance is one of the most common methods law enforcement officials use to investigate suspects and gather evidence. It can be accomplished with the knowledge of the person being surveilled (overt surveillance) or without (overt surveillance).

Generally, surveillance is electronic or fixed. Electronic surveillance includes wiretapping, bugging, videotaping, geolocation tracking, data mining, social media mapping, and the monitoring of data and traffic on the internet. Fixed surveillance includes covert surveillance of individuals in-person, also referred to as “stake-outs.”

Individuals and law enforcement officials cannot conduct surveillance without limits, however. Constitutionally, theFourth Amendmentprotects individuals from unreasonablesearches and seizures, and this can protect individuals against surveillance. For example, in Kyllo v. U.S.(2001), theU.S. Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of using technology to survey the inside of adefendant's home without actually entering the home. There, theCourtheld that physical invasion was not required to constitute aFourth Amendmentsearchif thesurveillance reaped information that would not have been attainable without entering the home. Also, some surveillance may require a warrant. For example, electronicsurveillance is considered asearchunder theFourth Amendment, so it is subject to the samewarrantrequirements as othersearches. To obtain awarrant, the government must showprobable causeto believe asearchis justified, describe in particularity the activity to be surveilled, and provide a specific time period for thesurveillance, among other requirements. In addition to constitutional limitations, Congress also passed the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), which regulates electronic surveillance and provides a cause of action to individuals victimized by unlawful electronic surveillance.

[Last updated in October of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]

surveillance (2024)

FAQs

What is considered surveillance? ›

Generally, surveillance is electronic or fixed. Electronic surveillance includes wiretapping, bugging, videotaping, geolocation tracking, data mining, social media mapping, and the monitoring of data and traffic on the internet.

What is person surveillance? ›

Surveillance is the act of monitoring or observing individuals, groups, or environments, often with the intention of gathering information or preventing criminal activity. Surveillance takes many forms, including physical observation, electronic monitoring, video recording, data collection, and analysis.

What is the meaning of under surveillance? ›

the careful watching of a person or place, especially by the police or army, because of a crime that has happened or is expected: The police have kept the nightclub under surveillance because of suspected illegal drug activity. More banks are now installing surveillance cameras.

What is a synonym for the word surveillance? ›

(noun) in the sense of observation. Synonyms. observation. inspection. scrutiny.

What are examples of illegal surveillance? ›

Unlawful surveillance is, generally, defined as when someone uses an imaging device to secretly view, broadcast, or record another person's sexual or other intimate parts, or while they are in a bedroom, changing room, bathroom, or room in a motel, or under their clothing without that person's knowledge or consent.

How do I know if I'm under surveillance? ›

If you're worried about being physically surveilled, try to remain aware of your surroundings. You may notice people loitering around you, possibly in a car or van. If you keep seeing the same vehicle over and over again, there's a chance you're being watched.

What is the difference between surveillance and spying? ›

A secret camera which watches the company cash drawer is surveillance. A tracker surreptitiously attached to an employee's personal automobile is spying,” says Crane.

Why would you be under surveillance? ›

Possible reasons include: in the interests of national security. for preventing / detecting crime or preventing disorder. in the interests of public safety.

What are the three types of surveillance? ›

The three types of surveillance are direct, preconstructive, and reconstructive. Direct is covert, preconstructive is more public, and reconstructive is reviewing information and evidence gathered from the other two techniques.

How do you prove you are under surveillance? ›

You receive a written or recorded copy of a private conversation you've had. This is solid proof you have been under surveillance. Sometimes eavesdroppers send copies of private conversations to let you know they have something on you.

Is surveillance against the law? ›

The Fourth Amendment and Privacy Rights:

Generally, law enforcement agencies must obtain a search warrant based on probable cause before conducting surveillance on individuals. However, there are exceptions in cases of national security or imminent threats.

What does it mean to keep someone under surveillance? ›

: to watch (someone or something) closely especially in order to prevent or detect a crime.

What is a surveillance person? ›

A surveillance officer monitors suspicious activities to prevent theft and cheating and to protect employees and patrons. The gaming industry is one of the top employers of surveillance officers, particularly in casinos and resorts or hotels that with an in-house casino.

What is spying on someone called? ›

Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information (intelligence). A person who commits espionage is called an espionage agent or spy.

What is the word for secretly watching people? ›

The word voyeur came into English in the twentieth century from the French word voir, meaning “see.” A voyeur is someone who peeps, or spies on other people, watching them do things they probably don't want to be seen, or someone who likes to hear stories about strangers' private lives.

What comes under surveillance? ›

Surveillance is used by citizens, for instance for protecting their neighborhoods. It is widely used by governments for intelligence gathering, including espionage, prevention of crime, the protection of a process, person, group or object, or the investigation of crime.

What is the official definition of surveillance? ›

official surveillance means the action of careful monitoring by the competent authority of the health status of poultry or other captive birds or mammals on a holding in relation to avian influenza; Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3.

What are the four elements of surveillance? ›

Each of these sectors contributes to the four basic components of surveillance, which are (1) collection, (2) analysis, (3) dissemination, and (4) response.

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