PREVENTING TERRORISM OR ELIMINATING PRIVACY? RETHINKING MASS SURVEILLANCE AFTER SNOWDEN REVELATIONS

Abstract

After Edward Snowden’s leaks revealed to the public in June 2013, mass surveillance programs still exist. Considering that these practices restrain the right to privacy, there is a need to rethink the very concept of mass surveillance. The aim of this paper is to analyse this concept, sum up the problems related to its logic and methods, and question its legitimacy. Critical approach to the concept of mass surveillance is necessary on order to create the basis for resolving current issues related to it. My research shows that there are reasons to question legitimacy of mass surveillance as it not only breaches the right to privacy but also ignores the presumption of innocence and there is possibly a substantial lack of oversight by the independent bodies which is necessary to make these practices democratic. Moreover, given that mass surveillance programs were introduced to fight terrorism and crime, it should be assessed how efficient they really are and whether they are worth having considering their drawbacks and potential dangers for the society.