Defining the Sensor Society. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andrejevic, Mark; Burdon, Mark
• Is Part Of: Television & new media. Volume 16:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: data mining -- surveillance -- privacy -- power -- sensors -- smart phones; Télévision -- Aspect social -- Périodiques; Télévision -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Médias -- Publics -- Périodiques; Civilisation -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Television broadcasting -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Digital media -- Periodicals; 302.234505
• DOI: 10.1177/1527476414541552
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-4764

Abstract

The proliferation of embedded and distributed sensors marks the increasing passive-ication of interactivity. Devices such as smart phones, cameras, drones, and a growing array of environmental sensors (both fixed and mobile) and interactive online platforms have come to permeate daily life in technologically equipped societies. Consequently, we are witnessing a shift from targeted, purposeful, and discrete forms of information collection to always-on, ubiquitous, opportunistic ever-expanding forms of data capture. The increased use of sensors marks important changes to our understandings of surveillance, information processing, and privacy. In this article, we explore the transformations associated with the emerging sensing environment. The notion of a sensor society provides a conceptual basis for understanding the characteristics of emerging forms of monitoring and control.