Digital Tracking - a Matter of National Security?

Abstract

More complex threat actors and risk assessments, e.g., hybrid threats, are often met with calls for increased government surveillance, which is of concern for democratic integrity. The two are therefore often presented as opposite poles. However, surveillance capitalism and the sale of extensive digital profiles can be manipulated and exploited by foreign powers for espionage, sabotage and subversion. The strategic effect is likely to increase as digitalization of governance, Smart Cities and IoT, as well as data storage and processing capacity, increase. The large amount of data can uncover information that should have been subject to clearance, tomorrow's leaders can in theory be tracked from infancy. In essence, the sale of personal data can have strategic effects on national security. As Surveillance capitalisms challenge the government surveillance monopoly, we should view privacy as a collective value for national defense.