The word surveillance originates from the French word "surveillier" which means to watch over. The main focus on this paper is State Surveillance which can be defined as observation by governments. State surveillance in terms of government and law enforcement deals with legal or illegal spying physically but mainly electronically. These acts can be done towards citizens of their country or towards other countries. This involves tapping of phones, financial tracking, email tapping, tailing, shadowing, stakeout, wireless sensors, target tracking and many other surveillance techniques. .
Another use of state surveillance can be found in schools whereby surveillance is used to monitor deviant behavior and criminal acts that may occur by students or even teachers. The advances of technology have an intense impact with respect to the ethics of putting persons underneath state surveillance in our current civilization, where most of our actions are noticeable, documented, searchable and traceable. State surveillance is much more invasive than it has been presented in the past where a person's presence may not always be needed to gather information. Electronic surveillance could be considered much more invasive than a physical search because it is in fact much a great deal easier for government agents to perform this type of surveillance. Government and its agencies tend to use statements such as "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" (Shikspack, 2013) to argue their use of saying activities. The state's use of warrantless wiretapping and closed circuit television cameras in public places may have the potential to save and preserve the lives of citizens from criminals and terrorists. Along with preventing future attacks on a country. .
Bypassing the Constitution to Undermine the Rule of Law.
Within Trinidad and Tobago there have been allegations of government spying and wiretapping.
