The new culture of surveillance

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed Bangladesh into an increasingly connected society.

Mobile phones, social media platforms, digital financial services, biometric identification systems, online education, e-governance initiatives and digital marketplaces have become integral to everyday life. These developments have delivered significant socio-economic benefits by improving communication, enhancing service delivery, expanding financial inclusion and creating new economic opportunities.

However, beneath these positive transformations lies a less visible yet increasingly significant phenomenon: the silent expansion of a surveillance culture across digital platforms.

As citizens become more dependent on digital technologies, the collection, monitoring, storage and analysis of personal data have become pervasive, raising important questions about privacy, freedom, accountability and democratic governance.

Surveillance culture refers to a social environment in which individuals’ activities, behaviours, preferences and interactions are routinely monitored, recorded and analysed by governments, corporations or other institutions. Unlike traditional surveillance, which relied on direct observation, digital surveillance operates largely through technological infrastructure and often remains invisible to those being monitored.

The growth of digital platforms has enabled the accumulation of vast quantities of personal information, frequently without users fully understanding the extent of data collection or its potential implications.
One of the principal drivers of surveillance culture is the widespread use of social media.

Millions of people regularly use Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, WhatsApp and other digital platforms to communicate, share opinions, conduct business and access information.

Every interaction on these platforms generates data about users’ preferences, social networks, geographical locations, browsing patterns and behavioural habits.

Platform operators employ sophisticated algorithms to analyse this information for advertising, content personalisation and other commercial purposes. As a result, users are often subjected to continuous monitoring without fully realising it.

The proliferation of digital financial services has further intensified data collection practices. Mobile financial service providers and digital banking platforms maintain extensive records of users’ transactions, spending habits and financial behaviour. While such practices improve efficiency, security and financial inclusion, they also create opportunities for profiling individuals and monitoring economic activity. The concentration of sensitive financial information within digital ecosystems raises concerns about data protection, unauthorised access and the misuse of personal information.

Government initiatives aimed at improving public administration increasingly rely on digital databases, biometric identification systems and electronic service delivery. Integrating citizen information across multiple platforms can enhance administrative efficiency and reduce corruption.

However, in the absence of adequate safeguards, transparency mechanisms and accountability frameworks, such systems may inadvertently enable excessive monitoring of citizens. The challenge lies in balancing legitimate governance objectives with the protection of civil liberties and individual privacy.

Private corporations, telecommunications companies, e-commerce platforms and application developers also collect extensive amounts of personal data. Many mobile applications request access to users’ contacts, location data, cameras, microphones and personal files. Users frequently consent to these requests without reading lengthy privacy policies or understanding how their information will be used. Consequently, personal data has become a valuable commercial asset, often exchanged, analysed and monetised within complex digital ecosystems.

One important consequence of surveillance culture is the erosion of privacy. Privacy is not merely an individual preference; it is a fundamental condition for personal autonomy, dignity and freedom of expression. When individuals believe that their activities may be monitored, they may modify their behaviour, avoid controversial discussions or limit their participation in public discourse.

Another critical concern relates to data security and cyber vulnerabilities. The accumulation of large volumes of personal information creates attractive targets for cybercriminals and other malicious actors.

Data breaches can expose sensitive information, including identity details, financial records, health information and private communications. Robust cybersecurity measures are therefore essential to protect citizens from the harms associated with unauthorised access and data exploitation.

At the same time, it would be inaccurate to portray surveillance technologies solely as instruments of control. Digital monitoring systems can contribute to public safety, crime prevention, disaster management and more efficient service delivery. During emergencies, digital platforms can facilitate the rapid dissemination of information and improve coordination.

Financial monitoring mechanisms can also help combat fraud and money laundering. The central question, therefore, is not whether surveillance should exist, but how it should be governed, regulated and constrained within democratic norms.

Addressing the challenges posed by surveillance culture requires comprehensive policy responses. First, Bangladesh needs a strong and enforceable data protection framework that clearly defines citizens’ rights regarding their personal information. Second, transparency requirements should oblige organisations to disclose how they collect, store, process and share data.

Third, independent oversight bodies should monitor both governmental and corporate data practices. Fourth, digital literacy initiatives should educate citizens about privacy risks, cybersecurity practices and informed consent. Finally, public debate on digital rights must become an integral part of Bangladesh’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Digital technologies undoubtedly offer immense opportunities for socio-economic development. Yet they also create unprecedented capacities to monitor individuals’ activities and behaviours. The challenge for Bangladesh is not to reject digitalisation but to ensure that technological progress remains compatible with privacy, accountability, transparency and democratic values. Only through balanced governance and informed public engagement can the benefits of digital transformation be realised without sacrificing fundamental freedoms.