Keywords
Fourth Amendment; privacy law; surveillance; facial recognition technology; data collection; digital privacy
Abstract
This study directly examines how surveillance law and technology have evolved in the United States and how privacy rights have declined correspondingly. The study specifically focuses on how advancements in surveillance technology have overstepped the boundaries of Fourth Amendment protections and analyzes whether these provisions are adequate for protecting citizens in the modern technological era. The study explores newly employed methods of technological surveillance, such as facial recognition, data collection, and automated license plate readers. It focuses on how government surveillance programs have reshaped legal and ethical understandings of privacy. The changes in surveillance and technology have been analyzed by directly tracing major Supreme Court decisions and legislative actions, primarily to determine whether these technologies have been examined or left in unknown territory. Additional data from other sources is also included to provide insight into how these advancements have created political contention and shaped public attitudes towards government surveillance and law enforcement tactics. Findings from this study indicate that current interpretations of the Fourth Amendment do not protect citizens in the digital age, as technology has transformed the legal landscape entirely due to new, previously unknown types of data. This study is highly significant as it clarifies the importance of privacy rights discussions and attempts to determine if there is a need to revitalize constitutional safeguards surrounding privacy law.
Thesis Completion Year
2025
Thesis Completion Semester
Fall
Thesis Chair
Ratansi, Shamir
College
College of Community Innovation and Education
Department
Criminal Justice
Thesis Discipline
Criminal Justice
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Geyer, Alan J., "The Evolution Of Surveillance And The Decline Of Privacy" (2025). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 428.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/428
Rights Statement
