Electronic Surveillance

Electronic surveillance may be defined as the use of electronic devices to monitor people, their communications, and their physical environment. Electronic surveillance techniques and equipment allow people to gather data in an automated manner, usually with the goal of concealing the surveillance efforts from one or more of the monitored parties.

There are many examples of electronic surveillance that predate the computer era. These include the use of radio and television equipment to monitor conversations, and wiretaps of telecommunication lines.

Cameras have been used for surveillance almost since their invention. The video camera is particularly well suited for this use, as it can be set up to record customers, employees, and remote locations. The recording of video surveillance has become less expensive. Film is fragile and difficult ...