In today’s digital age, we’re all constantly being watched—whether we like it or not. The rise of online tracking, combined with surveillance cameras in public spaces, means that our every move can be documented, analyzed, and used for various purposes. While many people don’t mind the idea of being watched, it’s important to consider how our relationship with surveillance has shifted over the years and what it means for our privacy.
More Than Just Cameras: The Rise of Digital Surveillance
Back in the day, surveillance mostly meant cameras keeping an eye on public spaces. But by the 2010s, the focus had shifted to something far more pervasive: our data. Every time you browse the internet, shop online, or swipe a card at a store, you leave a digital trail. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, the small actions you take—sending emails, using GPS, or scrolling through social media—add up to a detailed profile that companies and governments can analyze.
This new way of tracking, often called “dataveillance,” is less about watching through a lens and more about understanding who we are based on the information we share, intentionally or not. Laws and regulations around data collection have tried to catch up, but in the meantime, businesses use this treasure trove of information to predict our habits and target us with ads. Interestingly, while many people worry about data privacy, a majority still support physical surveillance, like cameras in public spaces. A 2013 poll, for example, showed that 78% of Americans were okay with cameras keeping watch on the streets.
Our Obsession with Watching and Being Watched
The fascination with surveillance isn’t new. Reality TV, which exploded in popularity during the early 2000s, played a huge role in normalizing the idea of living under constant watch. Shows like Big Brother put contestants under 24/7 surveillance, and viewers couldn’t get enough of it.
Cultural critic John McGrath even argued in his book Loving Big Brother that we don’t just accept surveillance—we find comfort in it. He suggests that knowing someone is watching us can feel oddly reassuring. This sentiment shows up in art, too, like Bruce Nauman’s Going Around the Corner Piece (1970), which used cameras to challenge how people perceive themselves under observation. Despite the countless ways we record and track our lives, these explorations remind us that we’re still chasing an elusive “real” version of ourselves.
Social Media: The Rise of Self-Surveillance
Social media has taken surveillance to a whole new level. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have turned us into active participants, willingly sharing our lives for others to see. Every post, photo, or update becomes part of the persona we craft online, often revealing more about us than any security camera ever could.
Art historian Johnathan Finn compares Jill Magid’s Evidence Locker to a Facebook profile, arguing that social media captures the finer details that traditional surveillance misses. From curated vacation photos to snapshots of everyday moments, our social media presence reflects our personal narratives in ways cameras alone cannot. This shift raises an interesting question: If we’re already putting so much of ourselves out there voluntarily, do we even need video surveillance anymore?
When Art Holds a Mirror to Surveillance
Even as we embrace social media, many of us still feel uneasy about other forms of surveillance, especially when paired with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Dries Depoorter’s 2022 project The Follower highlights this tension. By matching Instagram photos with public surveillance footage, Depoorter showed how easily online and offline identities can be connected.
While his work sparked important conversations, it also left people feeling exposed. Those featured in the project were surprised by how vulnerable their public Instagram posts seemed when paired with real-time surveillance footage. The discomfort revealed a deeper contradiction: we willingly share so much online but resist the idea of being watched in less controlled ways.
Rethinking Privacy in a Surveillance-Driven World
Projects like Depoorter’s make us think twice about what we share and how it might be used. They highlight the thin line between voluntary sharing and involuntary exposure, forcing us to question how much of our lives should remain private.
Art has always played a role in exploring these themes and push us to confront the impact of constant surveillance. Even the emerging field of digital collectible art helps capture the nuances of this digital era, allowing creators to explore how technology reshapes human interaction and identity.
Finding Balance in a Watched World
The presence of surveillance in our lives is undeniable. Some of it feels helpful, like doorbell cameras that keep neighborhoods safe. Other times, it can feel intrusive, especially when data about us is collected without our knowledge.
Let’s stay mindful of how art and surveillance are influencing our choices and connections as we navigate this ever-watching world. Whether it’s a camera on a street corner or the carefully crafted life we share on social media, the impact of being watched is worth thinking about. After all, it’s not just about privacy—it’s about understanding how this ever-present gaze changes the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
