Read the texts. What technology is each person talking about? Are they for or against it? Why?
Gary: I really can’t see the problem. When Google Street View first started, I tried to find my house online, but our street hadn’t been photographed yet. I was quite disappointed! I think it’s useful because you can look at hotels, streets and cities before you visit them. And if someone really wanted to see my house, they could just walk or drive past it. So I don’t think there’s a problem.
Steve: I don’t think speed cameras are really about safety. They are often used to make money rather than prevent accidents. In my area, four cameras have been placed on one road, but the number of accidents has actually increased. So I’m not sure they act as a deterrent. I’m also worried about number plate recognition. Your number plate can be logged, which means the authorities can keep track of where you go. I hate being watched like that. It feels like we’re becoming a surveillance society.
Karen: The way I see it, it’s an invasion of privacy. When I pay for something digitally, information about what I buy is recorded. Our shopping habits are being monitored by companies, and this information can be used to send us adverts. In the future, even more personal information will be collected. I certainly don’t want my details to be handed over to companies I don’t know.
Celia: I’m glad we have CCTV cameras. A few months ago, I was robbed by two men at a bus stop near my home. Luckily, the crime was recorded on CCTV and the men were identified by the police. They were arrested a few days later. More crimes are being solved because of CCTV, so I think we should have more cameras. Most people are law-abiding citizens, so I don’t think they need to worry.
Freddy: I think phone cameras can be a good thing. At demonstrations, for example, people often film what happens. Videos might be shared with the police or posted online. This means both the police and demonstrators know that their actions might be recorded. Everyone is more accountable when they know they are being filmed. Of course, there can be problems, but overall I think phone cameras can help show what really happened.