Explanation
Surveillance refers to the systematic observation or monitoring of individuals or groups, typically by governments, corporations, or other institutions, to gather information and maintain control. Methods include CCTV cameras, online data tracking, biometric systems, and undercover operations. In criminology and sociology, surveillance is analyzed as a tool of social control that can deter crime but also raises concerns about privacy, discrimination, and state power. The concept has expanded in the digital age to include mass data collection and predictive policing.