Coveillance.org/Types of Surveillance

Surveillance is the act of collecting data to monitor or manipulate a person's behavior. The two main types of surveillance are active and passive.

Active surveillance targets an individual.

Passive surveillance is done by mass collecting data and retroactively looking at it, sort of like a "dragnet".

Surveillance can be done via many different types of technology. The main types are listed below.

Online surveillance

Online behavior is easy to monitor.

Targeted ads collect your personal information as you browse the internet through cookies.

Watching your neighbor's backyard is legal.

Automated license plate readers