Introduction to Surveillance Studies

CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS

KEY CONCEPTS

• constitutional rights

• ubiquity of surveillance devices

• balance between the needs of law enforcement and the privacy of law-abiding citizens

Introduction

Freedom is more than the right to speak one’s opinion and move about freely—it also includes the right to be left alone. Privacy is a fundamental aspect of human dignity that was well articulated by Supreme Court Justice Brandeis in Olmstead vs. the United States when he stated

“The makers of our Constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness. They recognized the significance of man’s spiritual nature, of his feelings and of his intellect.... They sought to protect Americans in their beliefs, their thoughts, ...