Habeas Data

May 1, 2018

On the heels of his previous work, The Internet of Elsewhere, Farivar (Ars Technica policy reporter) outlines the intersection of government surveillance, technical advancement, and judicial interpretation. He lends his shrewd reporting to investigating digital surveillance and data retention practices employed by the government, policing agencies, and private companies. Through well-researched case law, readers interested in how today's courts interpret the capabilities enabled by modern technologies will enjoy the precomputer perspective on privacy the Constitution's framers had in mind. Tech gurus will appreciate detailed discussions on the privacy implications of facial recognition, thermal imaging, cell-site simulators, CCTV, GPS, email, and more. Thorough and sometimes dense legal interpretations slow down the narrative in places but provide fodder for understanding the complexity of our times. Sometimes reading like a James Grisham novel, this volume offers an engaging and timely snapshot capturing rogue actors capitalizing on emerging tech, policing agencies utilizing military grade tools, lawmakers interpreting the fourth amendment, and courts struggling with technical fluency. VERDICT For all concerned with the influence of technology on society, especially of interest to information professionals.--Nancy Marksbury, Keuka Coll., Keuka Park, NY

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