Surveillance and the Vanishing Individual: Power and Privacy in the Digital Age

Surveillance and the Vanishing Individual explores the impact of digital technologies and practices on privacy and personhood, arguing that the quest for prediction, certainty, and control destroys human dignity and undermines liberalism. It examines the rise of mass state surveillance, the legal restraints governing its use, and its deployment against activists, protestors, and dissidents. It also discusses the rise of "surveillance capitalism" and the implications of social media around the world. The book includes a case study discussing the global use of surveillance during the Covid-19 pandemic and concludes with reflections on the relationship between mass surveillance and liberalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 07 January 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Surveillance and the Vanishing Individual delves into the profound impact of the widespread adoption of digital technologies and practices, particularly the pervasive practice of mass surveillance, on privacy and individual identity. The book argues that the relentless pursuit of prediction, certainty, and control within the state's security apparatus erodes a fundamental aspect of human dignity and undermines the core principles of liberalism.

The book begins by tracing the origins of the digital age and its historical significance. It then delves into diverse cultural perspectives on privacy, exploring the philosophical underpinnings of its centrality to human existence and the legal safeguards that protect it. Lindau examines the rise of mass state surveillance, the limited legal constraints governing its use, and its deployment against activists, protestors, and dissidents, as well as its consequences on individuals and privacy.

The book then turns its attention to the emergence of "surveillance capitalism," recognizing that this phenomenon is not limited to the United States but is a global concern. It explores the political, social, and economic implications of social media on a global scale, examining how these platforms have become tools for surveillance and data extraction.

A case study on the global use of surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic is included in the book, providing a poignant illustration of the consequences of this development. The book concludes with reflections on the relationship between mass surveillance and liberalism, raising important questions about the limits of individual freedom and the role of the state in safeguarding privacy and human rights.

Surveillance and the Vanishing Individual appeals to readers across social sciences and philosophy, as well as to students enrolled in courses on privacy, surveillance, and democracy. Lindau's expertise in exploring the social, political, and economic ramifications of digitization and the appropriation of vast personal information makes this book a valuable resource for understanding the complex dynamics of our digital age.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538173510