From screens to streets: the dual forces of modern surveillance

In today’s security landscape, surveillance takes both digital and traditional forms. Law enforcement and security professionals increasingly rely on social media tracking to assess risks before public events, while analogue surveillance, such as foot patrols and plainclothes officers, remains crucial for monitoring and managing crowds.

Insights from the Surveillance Impact Report D2.1 highlight how these methods are used in public spaces and events, as well as their implications for privacy, security, and public trust​.

Social media tracking: surveillance in the digital sphere

Social media tracking, a form of open-source intelligence (OSINT), is widely used by law enforcement and private security actors to monitor potential risks at public gatherings. Authorities analyze online platforms, including forums and social networks, to assess the security landscape before and during events.

How It Works

• Monitoring Online Activity: Security professionals scan digital discussions to detect possible threats or unregistered events that might require intervention.
• Preemptive Intelligence Gathering: Authorities gather information on performers, their supporters, and potential disruptions by reviewing previous incidents and consulting open-source data.
• Operational Planning: Insights from social media help shape security strategies and determine personnel deployment at events​.

Concerns and Limitations

• Accuracy and Interpretation Risks: Not all online discussions translate into real-world threats, making it challenging to differentiate between genuine security concerns and harmless conversations.
• Data Collection Ethics: While publicly available, social media data use raises concerns about privacy and the surveillance of lawful activities.

Analogue surveillance: Presence on the ground

Despite the rise of digital tools, physical surveillance methods such as police patrols, plainclothes officers, and direct observation remain essential for maintaining order at public events.

Methods of Analogue Surveillance

• Foot Patrols: Officers move through crowds to establish a security presence and engage directly with attendees. Their visibility acts as a deterrent to crime and disruptive behaviour.
• Plainclothes Officers: Undercover personnel blend into gatherings to monitor crowd behaviour, detect emerging threats, and intervene discreetly if needed.
• Covert Monitoring of Potential Risks: Some officers track specific individuals or groups based on prior intelligence.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

• Over-Surveillance Risks: Some communities may be disproportionately monitored, raising concerns about bias in security operations.
• Balancing Security and Public Trust: While visible security reassures attendees, overly aggressive policing or military-style presence can create unease​.

The combination of social media tracking and analogue surveillance reflects the dual nature of modern security strategies. While digital tools allow for early intelligence gathering, on-the-ground presence ensures immediate response and crowd management. However, both methods must be used with caution to prevent privacy violations and maintain public trust.

Want to learn more? The Surveillance Impact Report D2.1  offers further insights into these surveillance practices and their impact on society.