Electronic surveillance

The era of 'sensorveillance': Law enforcement could use smart devices in our homes to monitor our every move, legal expert warns

Smarthomes and internet connected devices could be used by law enforcement to monitor our homes without a warrant, a legal expert has warned.

Gadgets ranging from fitness trackers to baby monitors are leading to what he has been dubbed the era of 'sensorveillance'.

If nothing is done, we may have to get used to the idea of our privacy being invaded without warning - and nearly constant surveillance of our behaviour.

Andrew Ferguson, a University of the District of Columbia law professor, says a case currently before the US Supreme Court could be key in determining how exposed smart-device data is to searches by law enforcement there. 

Timothy Carpenter was convicted of a robbery in Detroit on the basis of location data sent out automatically by his smartphone, without police applying for a warrant to obtain these records. 

Professor Ferguson is concerned that a ruling on the Carpenter case could authorise authorities to pressure firm's into supplying data stored on their servers from smart devices without oversight from a judge.