Working Group 2 are examining the diffusion and capabilities of new technologically mediated surveillance practices. This includes a technological assessment of their capabilities and an analysis of the institutional and organisational setting in which they are embedded. Mass technologically mediated surveillance is now undertaken on an unprecedented scale by a range of public and private organisations, yet relatively little is known (across society) about how this occurs, how these technologies are invented and configured, what they are capable of, or what they do with personal information. It is therefore important to consolidate knowledge about the surveillance technologies in operation, their technological capabilities, what they are used for and by whom. In this respect, the Working Group will address the need to develop knowledge about the extent and types of mass surveillance, how this is achieved, and likely future developments (e.g. in facial recognition). The specific subtasks of this Working Group are to:

• Create a more comprehensive inventory and analysis of the range of surveillance systems in operation, the technical equipment used, their configuration, and how they are operated and maintained.
• Provide researchers with a better understanding of the extent and depth of surveillance across Europe and to demonstrate more fully the extent to which personal information is gathered, stored and processed, and for what purposes. This in turn will highlight multiple surveillance purposes and organisational settings.
• Identify and assess the technological base of surveillance and provide important information about existing technological safeguards, their desirability and effectiveness. This will provide useful insights into the complex interaction between technological capability and the human control over technologies.
• Examine the impacts (perceived and real) of surveillance technologies. Central to the diffusion of new surveillance technologies is a belief that they will deliver certain outcomes, be it national security, increased competitiveness or more efficient public services. This assumes that surveillance technologies are effective and reliable in their operation and that their use will automatically result in certain impacts. It is therefore important to have a good understanding of the effectiveness of these technologies and how their effectiveness is determined and evaluated.
• Review technological assessments of surveillance systems. Although it is beyond the scope of this Action to undertake widespread technical evaluations of surveillance systems, it will be important to collect and assess existing published data work assessing the effectiveness of surveillance technologies and to relate this knowledge to the functional objectives and purposes of systems.