Technological advancement has been quite beneficial to
society in several ways, making it easier to navigate,
communicate, and access goods and services.
Oftentimes,
the benefits of the advancement of technology overshadow
the negative aspects and its truly invasive nature.
China is one of the most technologically advanced
societies and in its most high-tech areas, new
technologies are embraced and even tested every day.
People are under continuous surveillance. Individuals
are tracked carrying out the simplest of daily
activities such as garbage disposal. For some, it makes
them feel safe.
In any case, the question remains of what is being done
with the massive amounts of data that is collected.
Recently, with the Covid-19 pandemic, the systems have
ramped up surveillance in China, tracking down to the
live locations of persons suspected to have contracted
the virus.
The German version of the surveillance system is just a
bit different.
The
data is encrypted and stored locally on devices and
interacts anonymously with other devices in the
vicinity.
One aspect of the Chinese system is that it
tracks suspected Covid cases and alerts authorities if
the persons leave their buildings.
The
Chinese government wants to go even further by creating
an individual social ranking system.
It
would accumulate data based on factors such as the
payment of taxes, payment of loans, blood donation, and
the dissemination of accurate information. Based on the
data collected, points would also be allocated.
Germany is one country adopting a lot of Chinese
technology.
The
difference is that where Chinese citizens seem to have
become desensitized to their data being captured, German
citizens are hyper sensitive about their data collection
and there is usually prompt public outcry whenever they
sense their personal data is being collected and
tracked.
Even persons who are fascinated with technology are
reserved about its potential to violate individual
privacy and freedoms.
Technology makes it very easy to organize and perpetuate
the repression of very specific groups of people,
especially if they live in a particular geographical
area.
If technological advancement and its everyday impact
interests you, then you will enjoy this doc.
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