Dataveillance

Dataveillance is like a super-sneaky detective that watches and collects information about you when you use computers and phones. It's a mix of the words 'data' (which is like information) and 'surveillance' (which means watching). This detective doesn't wear a trench coat; it works quietly in the background, noticing every click and message you send.

It's like leaving a trail of digital breadcrumbs everywhere you go online!

This idea of watching digital information is pretty new, mostly because we have so many computers and phones now! Before, people might have listened to phone calls, but now, with the internet, there are tons of new ways to collect information. It started growing really fast as more and more people started using the internet for everything, like sending emails and talking to friends on social media.

This digital detective is important because it can be used for many things. Sometimes, it helps companies understand what people like so they can show you ads for toys or games you might enjoy. But it also means that a lot of information about what you do online, and even where you go with your parents' phones, is being collected. It's like a giant scrapbook of your digital life!

Dataveillance works by looking at the tiny bits of information you leave behind when you do things online. When you buy something with a credit card, send an email, or even use a map app, you leave a clue. Dataveillance collects these clues, like a puzzle, to build a picture of what you do.

It's not usually about watching just one person, but often about watching lots of people at once to see patterns.