CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020
| Author | Karpova, Galina |
|---|---|
| Title | Space of Security and a Space of Threat: The Perception of Surveillance System in Moscow |
| Summary | This study explores the role of surveillance system as CCTV cameras and facial recognition cameras in creating the understanding of threat in public places of Moscow. The problem of public surveillance became particularly relevant in Moscow in previous years, when Mayor Sergey Sobyanin introduced the launch of «Safe City» program. Surveillance technologies, assumed in this program, were claimed to be used for counter-terrorism purposes and the detection of wanted criminals. After political protests in summer 2020, the usage of CCTV with facial recognition system was criticized for violating human rights and invasion to personal privacy of citizens. Although facial recognition was introduced in Moscow not a long time ago, it raised the problem of digital rights. CCTV technologies have invoked the discussion about limits of surveillance. The purpose of my research is to find out how citizens’ perception of security measures and threat in urban environment correspond with the state agenda. Security is considered as a socially constructed category, and I analyze it from works of Copenhagen school of securitization and Paris school, which move the focus of security from international relations to sociology. Following Savitch’s assumptions of security’s reterritorialization tendencies and Harvey’s concept of «right to the city», citizens are seen as political actors in urban space, who should feel the effect of public surveillance. For the research data, I collected answers of Moscow citizens about their perception of security measures in different public places. They also shared their opinions on security situation in Moscow and suggested possible justifications of its installation. I also analyzed media publications from databases and conducted expert interviews with lawyers specialized on human rights in digital sphere. My findings demonstrated that in Russian society the trust in rational and moderate use of surveillance technologies in future exists simultaneously with low credibility to police’s actions. While citizens showed awareness on abuse of power connected with facial recognition technologies, they don’t feel certain danger for themselves even while staying suspicious to them. The perception of urban threat has moved from terrorism and serious crimes to the danger that comes from other citizens. The results also uncovered the problem of understanding privacy as a concept belonged to human rights. Facial recognition lead to emergence of discussion about privacy in Russian society. |
| Supervisor | Claudio Sopranzetti |
| Department | Sociology MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2020/karpova_galina.pdf |
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