Surveillance

Abstract

Surveillance here is explored in the context of the development of biometric technology and border control in modern nation-states and their imperial histories. The implications of state control over personal data are emphasized by the disparity between citizens and non-citizens, especially in the context of border crossings. The study of the racialized history of border construction, citizenships, and mobility regimes shows a continuation between the historical imperial technologies of power and modern biometric surveillance. Furthermore, the narrative of security is built on discriminatory practices in permanent tension between human rights principles and exclusionary security measures.