Ubiquitous Computing & Surveillance

Ubiquitous Computing¹ is often known as the age of "calm technology" as it refers to the phase when technology recedes into the background of our lives. Often coined as "Third Paradigm", it is roughly the opposite of virtual reality. In a virtual real world, people are forced to live inside a computer-generated world; Ubiquitous Computing forces the computer to live out here in the world with people².

In the context of new media ubiquity refers the massive extent and growth of digital devices, its density and interconnectedness of networks. The proliferation of digital devices (mobile phones, mp3 players, sat nav systems etc) has developed to that extent where the computers act as an embedded function of our physical environments³.

Amidst new media and cyber generated world, it is important to maintain our identity. Due to this ubiquity, there is a chance that identity of an individual can get hacked through cyber crimes. To protect the identity of a person, so that other person cannot hack the data the imminent need for a surveillance society. Surveillance is two-sided, and its benefits must be acknowledged. Yet at the same risks and dangers are always present in large-scale systems and of course power does corrupt or at least skews the vision of those who wield it. The use of CCTV in shops and other public places, chip & pin in banking, use of barcodes, RFID are actually close observation of a person taking primary concern of safety and privacy⁴.

If this safety can be prevailed, then Ubiquitous Computing is a revelation. Embedding computation into everyday objects and simultaneously interactions will only benefit the society in terms of progress and communication. Everyone wants a private life. Also, Ubiquitous Computing has become necessary. In such a scenario, issues of surveillance, read as safety and privacy protections are good for everyone.

References:

1)     Youtube Video: Ubiquitous Technology. [Online]. Available from:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysJAMQgwma8

[Accessed at:3/11/2011]

2)      Ubiquitous Computing [Online]. Available from: http://www.ubiq.com/ubicomp/

 [Accessed at: 3/11/2011]

3)      Class Presentation of Dr. Gavin Stewart in Uni of Beds

4)      Wood, M. D. (ed.) (2006). A report on the Surveillance Society. [Online]. Available from: http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/surveillance_society_full_report_2006.pdf [Accessed:2/11/2011]

Image Reference:

http://www.tokyo-ubinavi.jp/en/image/jikken_image.gif [Accessed: 2/11/2011]