China: Surveillance State or Way of the Future?
Technological advances have brought enormous benefits to society in several ways, facilitating navigation, communication, and access to goods and services. Often the benefits of technological advancement overshadow the negative aspects and how intrusive they really are.
China is one of the most technologically advanced societies, where new technologies are being adopted and even tested every day in the high-tech sector. People are under surveillance all the time. Track individuals performing the simplest everyday activities, such as garbage disposal. Some people feel safe.
Regardless, the question remains what happens to the vast amounts of data collected. More recently, with the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s system has ramped up surveillance, tracking down the homes of people suspected of being infected with the virus.
The German version of the monitoring system is slightly different. Data is encrypted and stored locally on the device, and interacts anonymously with other nearby devices. One aspect of the Chinese system is that it tracks suspected Covid cases and alerts authorities when people leave buildings. The Chinese government wants to go a step further and establish a social hierarchy of individuals. It will collect data based on factors such as paying taxes, paying off loans, donating blood and disseminating accurate information. Points will also be awarded based on the data collected.
Germany is a country that heavily adopts Chinese technology. The difference is that Chinese citizens seem insensitive to having their data collected, while German citizens are very sensitive about their data being collected and tracked, often prompting an immediate public outcry.
Even people who are fascinated by technology are wary of its potential to invade personal privacy and liberty. Technology has made it very easy to organize and sustain the suppression of specific groups of people, especially if they live in specific geographic areas.
If you are interested in technological advances and their impact on everyday life, you will love this document.
