Surveillance

Definition
Surveillance is

"[t]he systematic observation of aerospace, surface or subsurface areas, places, persons,, or things, by visual, aural, photographic, or other means."

Overview
Although the word "surveillance" in French, literally means "watching over", the term is often used for all forms of observation or monitoring, not just visual observation. Nevertheless, the all-seeing "eye in the sky" is still a general icon of surveillance. Surveillance in many modern cities and buildings often uses closed-circuit television cameras. Although surveillance can be a useful tool for law enforcement and security companies, many people have concerns about the loss of privacy.

The word "surveillance" is commonly used to describe observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment or other technological means. For example:


 * bait car
 * closed-circuit television
 * covert listening devices or "bugs"
 * eavesdropping
 * electronic tagging
 * GPS tracking
 * Internet and computer surveillance
 * night vision
 * reconnaissance
 * surveillance cameras
 * trusted computing devices
 * wiretapping

However, surveillance also includes simple, relatively no- or low-technology methods such as direct observation, observation with binoculars, postal interception, or similar methods.