Surveillance and National Security: Balancing Privacy and Public Interest for a Safer Society

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-426-6_26How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Surveillance Systems; National Security; Privacy Rights; Public Safety; Data Protection Laws

Abstract

In the contemporary security environment, surveillance has emerged as an essential instrument for protecting national security. The significance of surveillance systems in threat identification, intelligence acquisition, and the maintenance of public safety are paramount. This technical innovation, however, raises substantial issues about the safeguarding of privacy rights. As governments augment their monitoring powers to address national security threats, enquiries over civil liberties, data protection legislation, and individual rights are gaining prominence. This paper analyses the intricate equilibrium between employing monitoring for public safety and safeguarding privacy in democratic nations, specifically within the context of India.

Practical instances, such as successful surveillance operations and national security events, demonstrate the efficacy of surveillance in risk mitigation. These instances highlight the ethical problems and potential overreach that may arise when privacy is sacrificed for security purposes. The research paper examines public discourse over the extent to which contemporary surveillance tactics encroach upon individual freedoms and civil rights, offering several viewpoints on the balance between security and privacy.

The study provides various methods for responsible surveillance tactics to solve these concerns. It promotes stringent surveillance monitoring, transparency in national security activities, and proactive community involvement to foster public trust. The paper advocates for a framework prioritising accountability, urging policies that guarantee security measures do not infringe upon fundamental rights. The study underscores the necessity for a sophisticated approach to surveillance, ensuring national security goals are achieved without compromising the privacy and liberties that underpin a democratic society. By employing a judicious and equitable strategy, surveillance can significantly contribute to national security while upholding individual rights.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Chetan Mohan
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/06/06
TI  - Surveillance and National Security: Balancing Privacy and Public Interest for a Safer Society
BT  - Proceedings of the National Seminar on Enhancing Privacy Protection in the Digital Age: Legal Challenges & Innovations (NSEPPDA 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 537
EP  - 561
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-426-6_26
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-426-6_26
ID  - Mohan2025
ER  -