Better information sharing, or “share or be damned”?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ramifications of developments in surveillance policies and technologies for information sharing cultures in a “public protection routine”.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper uses a mixed theoretical, legal and policy-based approach to inform this exploration of the ramifications of developments in surveillance policies and technologies.

Findings

This conceptual paper concludes that developments in surveillance policies and technologies as part of the “public protection routine” will result in a damaging and hasty culture of “share or be damned” unless a more careful approach to new information sharing approaches is developed. Otherwise, an increasing bureaucratisation of risk management through surveillance will lead to a disregard for the fine balance between public protection, procedural rights and privacy.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this conceptual paper is considerable – as some of the case studies discussed are very recent ones, and ones that represent an acceleration of the problems within the “public protection routine” which this paper seeks to unpick.

Citation

Grace, J. (2015), "Better information sharing, or “share or be damned”?", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 308-320. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-01-2015-0001