With the advancement of technology, it has become easier for governments and corporations to monitor citizens and consumers surreptitiously. You may wonder if you are being watched or if your data is being collected without your knowledge. Here are some signs to look out for to determine if you are under surveillance.
Strange devices or marks around your home or office
Look around your home and office carefully for any odd devices or markings. Some signs of surveillance equipment include:
- Small cameras or microphones hidden in everyday objects like clocks, smoke detectors, phone chargers, or books
- New, unfamiliar devices plugged into your router or modem
- Strange wires, screws, tape, or holes in walls, furniture, ceilings, or other places
- Chalk marks or other subtle signs outside your home pointing to possible entry points
These could indicate hidden cameras, bugs, or entry tools used by people to gain access to your property to plant surveillance equipment when you’re not around.
Unusual activity on your devices and accounts
Look for odd activity that could point to spyware or monitoring on your devices and accounts:
- Sluggish performance on phones/computers despite upgrades
- Apps open or close unexpectedly
- Webcam or microphone turns on randomly
- New, unrecognized programs running in the background
- Login alerts for unknown access attempts
- Accounts being accessed from unfamiliar locations
These could mean someone has planted spyware or gained access to monitor and track your device activities, communications, and account usage.
Strangers photographing or following you
Be alert for suspicious people who may be monitoring you in public:
- Being photographed or filmed by someone you don’t know
- Seeing the same unknown people around you frequently
- Being followed by someone, either on foot or in a vehicle
- Drones flying nearby your home, office, or other locations you frequent
Undercover agents or private investigators may monitor you directly in public or use drones for overhead surveillance. Note characteristics like clothing, vehicle descriptions, and equipment carried.
Unusual communications or engagement
Watch for odd communications that could point to social engineering or attempts to extract information:
- Unknown people attempting to befriend you, especially online
- Romantic overtures from unusual sources
- Questions from strangers about your job, lifestyle, beliefs, etc.
- Unsolicited emails with links or attachments from unknown senders
People aiming to monitor you, especially at work regarding corporate intellectual property, may try to get close to you online or in-person to gain information through casual questioning or building rapport.
Disruption of mail or deliveries
Note any odd issues with your mail or deliveries:
- Mail arrives late, opened, or resealed
- Packages show signs of tampering
- Mail goes missing or gets frequently misdirected
- Courier deliveries include people you don’t know or expect
Interference with mail and packages may indicate surveillance aimed at gathering intelligence from materials sent to you from certain sources.
Anomalies in your vehicle
Conduct regular checks of your vehicle for any signs of tampering:
- Changes to mirrors, fittings, upholstery, dust, or dirt patterns
- New, unfamiliar accessories or devices plugged in
- Missing items or out-of-place personal effects
- Variations in feel of acceleration or braking
Alterations like tracking tools fitted to a car or surveillance devices hidden before can help identify if someone is monitoring your vehicle’s movements.
Restricted access to sensitive sites
Watch for denial of entry to sites relevant for you:
- Security restrictions barring you from accessing certain offices/areas at your workplace
- Hassles going through customs/immigration when traveling
- Sites like government facilities or military bases you accessed before now denying entry
- Travel delays and enhanced screening focused only on you
If previously accessible sensitive locations now prevent you from entry, it may be a sign of increased surveillance on you as an individual based on suspicions.
Financial activity monitoring
Carefully check bank and credit card statements for any unusual activity:
- Questionable transactions you don’t recall making
- Charges or withdrawals outside your geographic area
- Large transactions inconsistent with your spending profile
- Suspicious credits or refunds you didn’t initiate
Monitoring your financial records and transactions can help identify unauthorized access or potential surveillance aimed at tracking your payments.
Phone issues
Note any unusual activity with your phone service:
- Frequent dropped calls
- Echoes, clicks, or background tones on calls
- Cell signal disappearing frequently
- Difficulty hearing certain contacts
Disruptions with your phone could indicate potential monitoring or interception of communications.
Searches finding you online
Google yourself periodically to see what information comes up:
- Look for personal details like your address, employment, education, etc.
- Note what photos or videos appear
- Check the sources of sites you appear on
- Review social media posts others have tagged you in
The extent of personal data found could suggest if someone has investigated you or if monitoring has compiled details about you online.
Conducting counter-surveillance sweeps
Take active measures to directly look for signs of surveillance:
- Sweep your home/office using a bug scanner or camera detector
- Have professionals conduct physical or digital surveillance checks
- Hire investigators to look into suspicious individuals/vehicles
- Change internet/phone providers regularly
Taking direct counter-surveillance actions can help reveal if someone has managed to successfully monitor you without your knowledge.
Reality check your suspicions
Before concluding you are being watched, rationally evaluate:
- How likely are you really to be targeted?
- Could other logical reasons explain the signs?
- Do you see clear motives for who would monitor you?
- Are there simpler explanations to explore first?
Carefully determine how plausible surveillance is based on your threat profile and if other causes could produce the unusual signs first.
Why you may be monitored
Some common reasons law enforcement or others may monitor individuals:
- Suspected criminal activities or connections
- National security threats like terrorism/espionage
- Legal mandates approved for a person of interest
- Protective details for dignitaries or at-risk individuals
- Private investigations for domestic, divorce or insurance cases
Surveillance aims tend to focus on investigating crimes/threats or providing legal protection.
Legal limits
Most democratic countries prohibit arbitrary monitoring of citizens by governments or corporations without legal justification, such as:
- Requiring a judge approved warrant based on probable cause
- Limiting surveillance scope and duration
- Restricting use of collected information
- Providing disclosure to those monitored post-surveillance
Oversight aims to protect from undue infringements on privacy and civil liberties.
How to avoid surveillance risks
Steps you can take to better secure your privacy:
- Use encrypted messaging/calls to communicate sensitively
- Utilize privacy tools like VPNs and anonymizing browsers
- Frequently change passwords and enable two-factor authentication
- Be cautious of oversharing on social media
- Use dummy email accounts/phone numbers sparingly
Proactively protecting your digital life and sharing judiciously online helps lower your risk profile.
When to seek legal help
Consider contacting an attorney if:
- Signs of surveillance continue over time
- Sensitive confidential information appears compromised
- You suspect rights violations and undue harassment
- Your employment, reputation, or finances are impacted
Legal counsel can help determine if monitoring appears unlawful and pursue formal grievances as warranted against parties responsible.
Conclusion
Surveillance technology makes monitoring easier, though democratic laws aim to prevent abuse. Being observant for odd signs, reviewing your digital trails, taking privacy precautions, and rationally evaluating reasons can help determine if undue watching may be occurring and guide appropriate responses.