Without remedy, there is no right. Government cannot always be counted on to vigorously enforce laws. The challenge to sign the pledge came from 14 groups, known collectively as The Privacy Coalition. Members include the ACLU, Electronic Privacy Information Center, American Library Association, United Auto Workers union and the conservative Eagle Forum. The pledge singles out some new surveillance technologies, such as video tracking and workplace monitoring.
Many companies use various methods to watch over workers, particularly when they go online.
Video surveillance is becoming increasingly common. After the Super Bowl in January, it was disclosed that video cameras watched fans as they walked into the stadium, using face recognition technology to look for wanted criminals and known terrorists. That event prompted a separate mention of video surveillance in the pledge, Steinhardt said. That's the kind of issue that requires government action, and can't be solved simply by industry self-regulation. Copyright 2001 Associated Press.