A Study On Protecting Privacy And Personal Identity In The Age Of AI And Digital Surveillance
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
Vasundra D, B.COM LL.B. (Hons.), School of Excellence in Law, TNDALU
Raghavi S, B.COM LL.B. (Hons.), School of Excellence in Law, TNDALU
Sveshta Vadhul, B.COM LL.B. (Hons.), School of Excellence in Law, TNDALU
ABSTRACT
The accelerated progression of AI, big data analytics, and ubiquitous digital surveillance has revolutionised society while bringing challenging deformations with profound implications for human rights, including the rights to privacy and personal identity. In the digital landscape, information is being produced on a massive scale by people in their daily lives, enabling states, corporations and technology systems to monitor, profile, and forecast human activities with unprecedented reliability. While such developments create important efficiencies, they also pose challenges and opportunities in the areas of security and innovation, both of which jeopardise personal autonomy, leave individuals vulnerable to misinformation, and facilitate discrimination in decision-making. Facial recognition, algorithmic profiling, biometric authentication – these technologies have increased anxieties about consent, data ownership and the abuse of personal information.
This paper examines the role of digital surveillance and AI-based identity technologies in the protection of human rights. Between the need for security and the need for individual privacy, a gap is created by the lack of transparency and accountability in algorithmic systems, as well as the absence of regulation on how algorithms are both developed and utilised by companies. This has resulted in discrimination, bias, harm, and violations of the dignity of an individual. With the emergence of deepfakes, identity theft, algorithmically biased decision-making and overreaching, there is an urgent need to establish ethical guidelines and provide legal protections to individuals.
It argues for a human rights-based approach to digital governance focused on transparency, accountability, and informed consent as part of AI use. Increasing data protection laws, algorithmic fairness, oversight and access to information are also vital to keeping privacy and identity in an increasingly connected world. Finally, the paper argues that protecting human rights in the digital age is not a legally binding obligation, but a social imperative that serves to preserve trust, democracy, and dignity.
Keywords: AI-Driven Governance, Data Protection, Algorithmic Bias, Digital Autonomy, Ethical Regulation.
