Coexisting with surveillance technology is altering the human brain – new study

Surveillance technology is now widespread, permeating numerous elements of everyday life, from self-service kiosks to communal areas.

A new study released in Neuroscience of Consciousness shows that this constant surveillance not only changes our actions but also affects the way our brains handle information, frequently beyond our conscious awareness.

The study, carried out by a group from the University of Technology Sydney, included 54 undergraduate participants who executed visual tasks while being observed by CCTV cameras. A control group underwent the identical tasks without oversight. The research revealed that just being aware of being observed increased participants’ focus on faces, especially on those facing them directly.

Participants aware of the surveillance recognized these faces nearly one second quicker than those in the control group, suggesting a specific improvement in social perception. This increased awareness is associated with an age-old survival instinct that enables humans to perceive gaze and comprehend social signals.

Nevertheless, the consequences of this heightened awareness may be significant, particularly for those with mental health issues like social anxiety disorder and psychosis, where sensations of being observed can intensify anxiety and paranoia.

Interestingly, numerous participants expressed feeling untroubled by being observed, emphasizing a gap between conscious awareness and brain activity. The normalization of constant monitoring brings up worries about the potential stress linked to widespread surveillance in everyday life.

The results are especially pertinent considering recent demands for heightened oversight by tech leaders such as Larry Ellison, who supports a continuously operating AI-driven monitoring system.

This perspective raises important questions regarding the equilibrium between safety and individual liberty. As monitoring becomes increasingly embedded in society, it is crucial to contemplate not just its intended outcomes but also its nuanced influence on mental health.