Surveillance Guru Appointed as Visiting Professor at VUW

Surveillance Guru Appointed as NZ-UK Link Visiting Professor at Victoria University of Wellington

Professor William Webster of the University of Stirling will be the NZ-UK Link Foundation’s first Visiting Professor to New Zealand. He is a recognised expert on the governance and regulation of privacy and data protection, and the implications and consequences of contemporary technologically intensive surveillance societies. Professor Webster will be attached to the School of Government at Victoria University of Wellington for three months from 1 July.

The NZ-UK Link Foundation aims to make a ‘continuing and substantial contribution to the intellectual, educational, vocational and academic underpinning of the bilateral relationship between New Zealand and the UK in a changing world’. The Visiting Professorship programme has been established to advance these aims.

Professor Webster is a specialist in the emergence of new surveillance technologies in public policy and service settings and a leading authority on the policies and practices surrounding the provision of closed circuit television/video surveillance cameras and systems in public places. He has recently been appointed as an expert advisor to the UK Surveillance Camera Commissioner.

During his visiting professorship he will be giving a series of talks (five public lectures and three expert seminars) and engaging with academic colleagues, government agencies and other professional in his area of expertise.

Professor Webster says “Surveillance is embedded in a range of technologies that are essential for modern life: mobile phones, supermarket loyalty cards, website cookies or satellite navigation systems in the car. These create a digital footprint and provide valuable personal information that can be used by government agencies and private organisations for a variety purposes.

“Within society, the value of privacy is poorly understood and consequently we have very little idea what happens to our personal data, much of which we give away without thinking. We do very little to protect our privacy in a surveillance society. How many people read the terms and conditions before they tick the box to give them access to a new service on the internet? We tick the box unthinkingly because we want the service or product. Currently, we do not have a good enough understanding of the information we are giving away or how it is used. I am really looking forward to exchanging views on these issues with colleagues in New Zealand”

The NZ-UK Link Foundation Chairman, David Middleton said “With the question of privacy and the need for public safety a matter of current debate, and Sir Michael Cullen’s recent report on Intelligence and Security under consideration, this is an excellent time for New Zealand and the UK to share their experiences on the issues around privacy and surveillance. Professor Webster’s visit will give those interested in this area the opportunity to discuss international experience and learn from best practice outside New Zealand.”

ENDS

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