Date: Feb 15, 2022
Topic: Digital surveillance technologies in Canadian policing
Thomas Linder is joining us to talk about his doctoral research into the rise of digital surveillance technologies in Canadian policing. His work shows that police services are implementing a wide range of digital data collection and analysis tools, yet there is little public discussion of appropriate governance policy from the perspective of the affected communities. In this democratic blackout the police have been implementing technologies and practices modelled after post-9/11 US domestic counter-terrorism units. He argues that civic technology movements have an important role to play in pushing for properly democratic, public oversight and governance of police technology usage.
Speakers:
- Tom Linder – Thomas Linder is the Coordinator for Knowledge and Insight Development at Open North. His work involves developing and aligning research projects, conducting cross-project analysis to identify insights and trends, and building innovative knowledge sharing and translation products for in-house and external capacity building and learning.
Thomas received his PhD in sociology from Queen’s University. His doctoral research was on the societal impacts of emerging digital technologies, particularly with regards to digital surveillance and policing. He received a Master’s Degree in philosophy and political science from the University of Zurich with a thesis on the geopolitical dimensions of corporate and national security surveillance.
He is passionate about rethinking smart city strategies to build alternative political and economic systems that empower communities and embed equity and sustainability from the start.