Electronic Surveillance and Civil Rights

Abstract

Modern technology is providing unprecedented opportunities for surveillance. Employers can read e-mail, snoop on employee’s computer files, and eavesdrop on their calls. Many companies also have cameras monitoring their employees all day. Since employees do not usually have access to their own electronically stored data, they cannot correct inaccurate information. Strangely, this type of information gathering is not illegal even if it is done unbeknownst to an employee. This is because there are no laws regulating electronic surveillance in the private sector workplace. This chapter presents an overview of electronic surveillance and civil liberties.