Here we examine the pros and cons of spy gadgets and surveillance equipment use in modern society and ask the question. Should their use be restricted?

Modern Spy Gadgets And Their Misuse

Last year the BBC researched the spy and surveillance industry looking primarily at the negative aspects of the modern surveillance culture. The series of broadcasted programmes targeted a plethora of different aspects of this subject including Googles information collation and even featured an interview with Big Brother creator John De Mol. The underlying perception was that the modern day surveillance culture was a negative thing, but in reality are the latest spy gadgets and spy equipment creating a surveillance culture that is totally negative?

Spy gadgets have their place in our modern society in that they are of course of absolute importance to the security services, the security industry and the private investigation sector. In fact even the domestic user will make purchases of spy equipment with a specific need to capture evidence to present to the Police or other similar organisations, where a prosecution maybe considered. However, there of course is a negative side to the use of such devices. Spy gadgets can be used for criminal purposes by unscrupulous people. Sometimes spy technology has been linked to major crimes such as when spy cameras were used to gather intelligence prior to the attempted Millenium Dome heist. This is an aspect that you will not be able to prevent, because restriction on the open market drives this type of trade underground making it less easy to police. One person could buy a craft knife from a hardware store and use it for a legitimate use, but another could use the same type of knife to cause serious injury to someone. There really is no accounting for this because the misuse is determined by the user in that spy gadgets are not illegal by design, but they of course can be used in an ilegal way

On the face of it, there would appear to be an argument from both schools of thought, although in real terms spy gadgets and surveillance equipment in general have far more positive associations and they certainly have a relevant legitimate role to play in our modern society.