MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
“Big Brother” is watching you in Rio do Janeiro: over 700.000 cameras in the city
One camera for every nine citizens of Rio, security or privacy? Rio do Janeiro that will host the 2014 World Cup and the Olympic Games in 2016 is watched by an estimated 700.000 cameras from private security systems, revealed on Sunday O'Globo one of Brazil's main media conglomerates. According to a report from the Electronic Security Systems companies, the market expands 10% annually and there is one camera for every nine 'cariocas'.
Besides in Rio there are another 1.000 cameras mounted strategically in streets by the local government says O'Globo adding that ahead of the great sports events security continues to expand with even more cameras funded by city hall.
Some specialists and solicitors have warned that the massive spread of cameras could entail a privacy invasion by “Big Brother”.
The 700.000 cameras are located in corporations or private residences as well as apartment blocks and storage facilities.
”There are electronic eyes in virtually every block of downtown Rio, in all high income neighborhoods to the south of the city such as Ipanema and Leblon, but a lesser number in middle class surroundings. Some are even located in the favelas (shanty towns) that surround the city but they have been set up mostly by the Police Pacifying Units, UPP, law enforcement groups geared to fight crime and reduce violence ahead of 2014 and 2016“, said O'Globo.
However the number of cameras all over the city recalls Britain's George Orwell's novel '1984' given the debate between security and privacy.
An urban planning expert, Rodrigo Firmino recommends limits to the display of cameras across Brazilian cities.
Middle classes have installed cameras in the perimeters of their residences but not only do they monitor and guard their homes and private property but also security in the streets which ”is something that is the exclusive responsibility of the State“.
”What right to these citizens have in installing cameras that monitor streets from a private interest?” asks Firmino.
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Read all commentsSure, lets talk about Brazilian surveillance.
Nov 11th, 2013 - 08:53 pm 0That way, all the other one will disappear.
After all, the Brasileiros are the ones to...
Lets just talk about the Brazilian surveillance...
HEY! How many times must the writers of these stories be reminded that O'Globo is NOT an Irish newspaper. If you are going to be a Latin American publication, PLEASE try to get it right. the name is O (The) GLOBO (Globe). Get it? No apostrophe required. Stop making yourselves appear so ignorant.
Nov 12th, 2013 - 02:54 pm 0”What right to these citizens have in installing cameras that monitor streets from a private interest?” asks Firmino.
Nov 12th, 2013 - 09:34 pm 0Well, he really IS an expert if he doesn't know that the government CANNOT safeguard its citizens so why not private consortiums of the house owners. Why are ALL the experts (and government ministers) in Brazil so stupid?
BTW I didn't realise that 700,000 cameras ON THEIR OWN would ensure the bad guys get caught or even shot in the process of robbing people. How does that work? Ah! It doesn't.
However, I bet the poor sod being mugged would be really impressed that the privacy of the robber had been maintained if the cameras are turned off.
Contrast that with the robber being apprehended by a private police firm funded by the local house owners and the would-be victim being left unharmed. Isn’t this situation a bit of a no-brainer apart from the people with no brain like Firmino?
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