The Ethics of Surveillance: An Introduction, Edition 2

Among the questions it addresses are:

• Is it ever acceptable to spy on one's allies?
• Should the state intrude into private lives in the name of health or security?
• What new ethical challenges arise from using AI for surveillance?
• How far should journalists go in pursuit of the truth?
• Can we really expect privacy in public spaces?
• Is it ever justifiable for a parent to read their child’s diary?

This fully revised second edition includes fresh material on pandemic-era ‘track and trace’, and emerging technologies such as digital identity, AI and the Internet of Things.

Rich with case studies – including contemporary examples like ChatGPT and facial recognition – this book offers a philosophically grounded yet accessible entry point into a fast-evolving field. It is ideal reading for students and thoughtful readers across applied ethics, technology ethics, privacy, politics, journalism, security studies and human geography.