Mass surveillance

Mass surveillance refers to the intricate and often covert practice of systematically monitoring and collecting information about a large number of individuals or groups. This practice is typically conducted by governments or other entities with the aim of maintaining national security, preventing crime, or gathering intelligence. The term can be translated to Hebrew as הפיקוח ההמוני, to Spanish as vigilancia masiva, to French as surveillance de masse, and to German as Massennüberwachung. Key contextual information includes the use of advanced technologies such as CCTV cameras, internet monitoring, and data mining to gather vast amounts of information. The ethical and legal implications of mass surveillance are significant, often sparking debates about privacy rights, civil liberties, and the balance between security and individual freedoms. Notable examples of mass surveillance programs include the United States' PRISM program and the United Kingdom's GCHQ activities, both of which have been subjects of intense public scrutiny and controversy.