A Black Woman Invented Home Security. Why Did It Go So Wrong?
Surveillance systems, no matter the intention, will always exist to serve power by Chris Gilliard

After reading Chris Gilliard’s article, “A Black Woman Invented Home Security. Why Did It Go So Wrong?” on Wired, I found myself reflecting deeply on the complex relationship between security, power, and personal safety especially as a woman. The article highlights how Marie Van Brittan Brown, a Black woman, invented the first home security system in 1966 in response to feeling unsafe in her own home. Her invention laid the foundation for the modern security industry, yet the systems that emerged from her innovation now often serve power structures rather than protecting marginalized individuals.

As a woman, I resonated with Brown’s initial motivation—her desire for safety and autonomy. I’ve often felt the same impulse when walking alone at night or being home by myself. The need to feel secure is something many women can relate to, especially considering the disproportionate rates of gender-based violence. Nonetheless, Gilliard’s piece caused me to consider the negative aspects of surveillance technologies. Although Brown’s creation was meant to empower people, modern security systems usually lead to racial profiling, excessive policing, and privacy destruction. It’s depressing to learn that a supposedly protective tool is now frequently used as a weapon against underprivileged groups.

Gilliard’s piece also made me reflect on the broader implications of who gets to feel “safe.” For women, particularly women of colour, the systems that are supposed to offer protection can sometimes bring more harm. The article underscores the tension between personal security and systemic oppression, highlighting that technologies created by Black innovators are often co-opted by systems that harm Black communities.

Also within the article from The Guardian claims that serious privacy concerns, especially for underrepresented groups, have been brought up by the quick development of home surveillance technology. The article describes how businesses such as Amazon’s Ring have partnered with more than 2,000 police departments, granting law enforcement access to private footage without a warrant, a practice that has disproportionately affected communities of colour (Cox, 2021). The problems Gilliard addresses are further supported by this example of how security technologies intended for individual protection can be used as weapons against vulnerable groups.

Reporter, G. S. (2021, May 20). Amazon’s Ring is the largest civilian surveillance network the US has ever seen. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/18/amazon-ring-largest-civilian-surveillance-network-us