Surveillance following Snowden: a major challenge in Spain
Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society
ISSN: 1477-996X
Article publication date: 14 August 2017
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the impacts of Edward Snowden’s revelations in Spain focusing on issues of privacy and state surveillance. This research takes into consideration the Spanish context from a multidimensional perspective: social, cultural, legal and political.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the Spanish privacy and state surveillance situation. Responses to a questionnaire were collected from 207 university students studying at Universitat Rovira i Virgili or Burgos University. The quantitative responses to the survey were statistically analysed as well as qualitative considerations of free-text answers.
Findings
The survey outcomes demonstrate that a majority of respondents are aware of Snowden’s revelations, but only a few have even considered taking serious actions to improve their online privacy. One of the most relevant findings is that Spanish citizens find it acceptable to lose privacy and be subject to state surveillance if that provides a benefit in security.
Practical implications
The research points out the importance of privacy in a multicultural environment. A sensitised society is a keystone for the healthy and balanced development of state surveillance policy and practice.
Social implications
Training programmes are a critical dimension to ensure awareness across society regarding privacy and digital technologies. Suitable educational policies and curricula at all levels should be fostered.
Originality/value
Privacy and state surveillance based on information and communication technologies is an emerging research topic with important consequences for social values and ethics. This study provides an overview of Spanish higher education students’ attitudes in these areas.
Keywords
Citation
Adams, A.A., Arias-Oliva, M., Lara Palma, A.M. and Murata, K. (2017), "Surveillance following Snowden: a major challenge in Spain", Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 265-282. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-11-2016-0044
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited