Surveillance, Democracy, and the Rule of Law

• Department of Law

The EUI Department of Law and the University of Portsmouth organise two days of discussion on the impact of surveillance systems on the various facets of democracy and the rule of law.

The use of surveillance systems is omnipresent in current society. Symbolised by smart cities and smart homes, surveillance through the implementation of automated systems has been transforming everyday life into measurements and patterns. While many of these systems are actually deployed by private sector organisations, many governments have been implementing automated tools for a range of policies, from public security to immigration controls and, most recently, public health. These automated systems transform the ability of public authorities and/or the public sector to ‘sort’ and monitor individuals through conducting behavioural ‘pattern’ analysis and identifying abnormal patterns within the pool of collected data. New technologies for automated ‘predictive’ surveillance thus have augmented the questions of transparency, accountability, oversight, and the protection of democratic freedoms. 

Scholars from various countries within and beyond the EU will present a total of 28 papers, organised around three core themes: Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Age of Surveillance; Automation, Surveillance, and Democracy: A Journey Through Time; and (Re)imagining Rights and Legal Remedies. The event also features a keynote talk by Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. The full programme for the Conference is attached below.

In addition to online participation, there are limited spots available for joining us in person at Villa Salviati, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We are looking forward to welcoming you virtually or in person.