Balancing Privacy and Public Safety: A Legal Analysis of Digital Surveillance in the Age of AI

ABSTRACT

In an increasingly interconnected world, digital surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool for maintaining public safety. However, this technological advancement raises significant concerns regarding individual privacy, data security, and the potential for abuse. This research examines the legal frameworks governing digital surveillance, focusing on the tension between ensuring public safety and safeguarding personal privacy in democratic societies. The study begins by analyzing the evolution of surveillance laws, emphasizing key international instruments such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the U.S. PATRIOT Act, and recent legislative developments in China and India. It explores the role of AI in enhancing surveillance capabilities, such as facial recognition, predictive policing, and mass data collection, and evaluates their implications for civil liberties. The research adopts a comparative approach, assessing how different jurisdictions balance these competing interests and identifying best practices for reconciling privacy rights with national security imperatives. By investigating landmark legal cases and policy debates, this study highlights the inadequacies and loopholes in existing legal frameworks and proposes recommendations for creating robust regulations that ensure transparency, accountability, and proportionality in the use of AI-powered surveillance. This research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the ethical and legal challenges posed by emerging technologies. It underscores the need for a global consensus on privacy norms and emphasizes the importance of fostering public trust through legislative reforms that uphold democratic values. The findings are intended to inform policymakers, legal practitioners, and scholars seeking to address the complex interplay between technology, law, and human rights in the 21st century.

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