Law in the Information Society

A big issue that we have to face in the information society is getting the right balance between police gathering of information in order to promote security and the protection of individual privacy rights. This is often played out in the context of whether a warrant is required before police can use new surveillance technologies to monitor and gather information about activities of a person who may be under suspicion of committing a criminal offence. A recent case from the State of Washington in the United States has held that police cannot use GPS technology attached to suspect's car without obtaining a warrant. Silicon Valley I wonder if the control device of a search warrant offers sufficient protection for privacy. Another recent story in the Globe and Mail pointed out the danger that the granting of warrants may be manipulated by overzealous police officers. On the other hand, maybe privacy in the context of criminal investigations is not a very important right, and we shouldn't worry too much about its violation. I would certainly like to know what my students think about the appropriate balance between privacy and criminal law investigation.