The Pros And Cons Of Predictive Policing

Data has become a prominent source for information about people to be discovered over the past few years. While the collection of personal data is no immediate harm to anyone, it becomes an issue when the data is used for malicious purposes. This includes spying and tracking people based on their internet history. Furthermore, data can be used by police forces to predict crimes and their victims before they occur. Although this may seem like a flawless idea, it can have harmful side-effects, such as removing the opportunity for decisions to be made by the person. Another prime example of the dangers of data is the possibility of data tracking. Companies and government agencies alike, use data based on people’s internet activity to actively
Big data analysis uses an algorithm to predict who to surveil for signs of potential criminals or victims (Kosciejew 33). This form of policing has become increasingly popular in most American communities (Kosciejew 33). While this may sound like a good idea at first, it becomes a problem if it is used to judge and punish people for crimes that have not taken place (Kosciejew 33). Predictive policing removes the ideals of innocence, which our courts uphold (qtd. in Kosciejew 33). People being held responsible for crimes that have not occurred, removes the opportunity for them to make their own choices, thereby condemning them for actions they may not take. As Kosciejew states, “if we hold people responsible for predicted future acts, ones they may never commit, we also deny that humans have a capacity for moral choice” (33). He continues to say that “denying people their choices, thwarting their decision-making capabilities, and disabling their responsibility ultimately means a negation of their personal freedom and liberties” (33). By removing a person’s freedom to choose, we are removing one of the very things that makes us
While many browsers have privacy settings, they require some technological skills to change (Schintler and Kulkarni 346). Laws have been put in place that force police officers to acquire a warrant before they can search through a person’s mobile device. Such laws have put an ease to the public mind, however these warrants are so easily acquired that this is not an unimaginable feat (Doughty). There are “data-privacy laws” stating that companies should only use data for the intended reason, not to be reused for any other reasons, instated in over 100 countries (Wilson 414). Businesses that learn your personal information through big data are held to the same restrictions as if they had collected the same information in person through a survey (Wilson 414). “Technology-neutral data-protection laws afford rights to individuals with respect to all data about them, regardless of the data source” (Wilson