As expected, the current line on these lights is that these homeland security (seriously, that’s what they call them) features are not being utilized, and they have no current plans to do so. But that also hints there might be *future* plans to do so.

It might sound like I’m completely against this, but I’m not, in principle. You can’t have 100% security and 100% safety, they’re mutually exclusive. Some monitoring has to take place in the interests of public security. The question is, will these contribute to that, or will they be a violation of the rights to privacy that we do have? Remember, if you are in a public place, your privacy rights are limited. DO you have the right to privacy and confidentiality on the grounds of city hall, or while you’re in a restaurant, or only at home? Even legal experts aren’t sure.

One other thing I’ll mention; the fact they are wireless presents a potentially significant security risk. Although everything is recorded to a server, the ability to intercept recordings or take control of the lights is very real. Wireless signals are very susceptible to manipulation. 

Continuing on the theme of whipping the public into a frenzy, there is another article linked in the original one about safety warnings being broadcast in Wal*Mart stores. While the intentions are good, I can see this leading to far more trouble than it might be worth, causing everyone to think everyone else is suspicious. Has anyone actually seen these? 

Remember, we do need to intercept people who are planning something terrible. But do we need to monitor everyone in the process? Slippery slope, or necessary evil?