Essay plan: opinion (agree or disagree)

The proliferation of facial recognition cameras and smart devices in cities means that vast amounts of personal data are now routinely used for public surveillance. While this practice offers clear advantages for public safety and crime prevention, it also carries significant risks to individual privacy and civil liberties that cannot be ignored. The most obvious benefit of this trend is enhanced security. In London, the Metropolitan Police's network of facial recognition cameras has helped identify suspects wanted for violent crimes within minutes of their appearance in public spaces, a process that once took days of manual review. Similarly, in Singapore, smart lampposts equipped with cameras have been credited with reducing petty theft and vandalism in residential estates, since potential offenders know they are being monitored. Beyond crime, such systems also assist in managing traffic accidents and locating missing persons quickly, demonstrating a genuine public good. However, the drawbacks are equally serious. First, there is the risk of misuse by authorities. In China, surveillance data has reportedly been used to track and restrict the movement of ethnic minorities, illustrating how tools designed for safety can become instruments of social control. Second, data breaches pose a real danger: when a South Korean facial recognition database was hacked in 2021, millions of citizens' biometric records were exposed, information that cannot simply be changed like a password once compromised. Third, constant monitoring can create a chilling effect on free expression, as people may avoid attending protests or public gatherings for fear of being identified and later penalised. On balance, I believe the benefits of surveillance technology are real but insufficient to outweigh the risks unless strict safeguards are in place. Cities should therefore adopt clear legal frameworks limiting data retention periods, requiring judicial oversight for access, and ensuring transparency about how footage is used. Without such regulation, the drawbacks of unchecked surveillance are likely to outweigh its security benefits over time.