Digital World: Should Surveillance of Internet Users and Their Activities be Stopped?

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the digital world has led to unprecedented levels of internet surveillance conducted by governments and corporations. While surveillance is often justified as a necessary tool for ensuring security and preventing cybercrime, it raises serious concerns regarding privacy, digital rights, and freedom of expression. This paper examines the causes and consequences of internet surveillance, with particular emphasis on phenomena such as the panopticon effect and the chilling effect on users’ behavior. By comparing global and national approaches to surveillance, the paper explores whether current practices strike an appropriate balance between security and individual rights. The analysis suggests that although surveillance should not be eliminated, its scope and intensity must be carefully regulated to protect privacy and prevent the erosion of fundamental freedoms in the digital age.