A Person Of Interest

I have been watching the "A Person of Interest" show over the past few weeks and it is excellent. The plot about two men preventing crimes as a result of some super computer certainly makes you think. Over the years I have watched movies that dawn inventions and gadgets that seem far fetched only to know today they are actually now reality.

"The Government has a Secret System, a Machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built IT"

The posting is not about the show (Do watch it if you can), but about my own awareness as a result of watching the show. Going around town I started to "notice" the camera and tracking technology which previously was sort of "out of sight, out of mind" and it is astonishing. There are cameras everywhere.

The bottom line is you are actually being "watched" all the time. They are in the trains, shopping centres, shops, toll fee gantry's, HDB housing blocks, traffic and speed cameras, car parks, attractions etc. You just do not notice them until you look. Sure, every city will be different but in Singapore you are "covered".

The Singapore Police will install high definition CCTV cameras at another 700 housing blocks and multi storey car parks by the end of the year in addition to some 300 locations announced earlier in the year. Mind blowing surveillance if you ask me. These cameras are so sophisticated they can pick up a discarded cigarette butt thrown from a HDB Flat.

As an individual I have access to some of the cameras via the EMAS (Intelligent Incident management System) which is really help full and fascinating. Obviously the cameras are there for our "safety" and protection but the show did make me wonder, What else are the Government and organisations capable of doing with the information?

The wife forgot to put the card in the "In car Unit" and drove thru an ERP Toll Gantry and within a few days the fine was delivered at our house. Just $10 but the point is they know where and who you are.

Here is one you probably did not know. If you are staying at the Marina Bay sands hotel and your car gets parked in their car park it gets a 360 degree scan and digital video upon entry that will give detail to the size of a 10 cent piece in case there are any disputes about possible damage while in their care.

Even the dogs have tracking devices. All taxis have in Car HD video recording systems installed to assist with accident disputes.

Be careful what you do when you are out and about. You are being watched.

PS. I would love to spend a day in one of the control centres and see the world through these eyes.