Embedded Files
Information privacy plays an undoubtedly significant role in this film.
In the Context of the Film
A large subplot of the movie revolves around the security team who surveils the casino floor to monitor patrons and track house losses. The technology is housed in a central command room that processes video feeds from the CCTV cameras in the ceiling of the casino. In the film, the loss prevention security consultant Cole Williams is shown analyzing live and retrospective footage to detect suspicious mannerisms and pinpoint card counters. These cameras record complete coverage of virtually every action that is taken in the establishment and are integral in preventing crime and maintaining an economic advantage.
In the Context of the Real World
However, as a result of the incredible security measures that these venues take, anonymity in a casino environment is essentially a nonexistent concept.
Federal laws allow video surveillance of individuals by visible cameras (in noninvasive locations) even without their prior consent or knowledge, as long as the intent is not criminal. Therefore, when a patron enters a casino, retail store, or relatively any public or private establishment, they are “consenting” to digital images being taken and their movements recorded.
It is important to note though, that while the primary purpose of the surveillance is to protect the casino as a business entity, private citizens can benefit from their presence as they deter criminal activity and cases like theft could be solved using the investigative methods the cameras provide.
Defining Privacy
Privacy is the extent to which an individual can control who is allowed into their zone of inaccessibility [1]
Privacy is a social arrangement enabling individuals to control who is allowed access to their personal information and physical selves [1]
While it would be safe to assume that the majority of a casino’s customer base is aware that they are under constant video surveillance (more so if there are signs posted alerting patrons about the use of overhead cameras), it would also be safe to assume that those who have not done any research on the matter would be surprised by the sheer amount of data being collected on them, outside of simple movement tracking.
Information Disclosures
While casinos do maintain sizable amounts of data on each of their patrons, they are not allowed to disclose names or photographs of individuals merely suspected of cheating. The only information that they can disseminate may be to other casinos, by placing proven cheaters on the excluded persons list thus making other casinos aware of them. Additionally local police can contact casino security to obtain video footage in situations where a crime was committed.
Data Mining
Searching through many records among databases to identify patterns or relationships to generate new information or predict future events
Casinos maintain a comprehensive database of everyone who steps foot on the premises, and share databases of particularly notorious card counters/otherwise unwanted clientele with other casinos. By running scans against their database for every patron who enters, they can escort these unwanted patrons off the grounds and avoid massive losses in the pits or other crime.
Data mining audio and video surveillance is used to build profiles on each patron, as casinos want to predict patrons’ behaviors so they can target and develop marketing campaigns around their specific behaviors. Casinos evaluate customers’ potential worth over time based on customer preference factors such as time of day, favored games, typical revenue, etc. and deeply mine this data to send optimal and personalized offers to different classes of customers - creating the best chance of driving a response that the casinos can then profit from and enhancing user experience. [2]
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