The digital age has brought new possibilities and potency to state surveillance activities. Of significance has been the advent of bulk communications data monitoring, which involves the large-scale collection, retention and subsequent analysis of communications data. The scale and invasiveness of these techniques generate key questions regarding their ‘necessity’ from a human rights law perspective and they are the subject of ongoing human rights-based litigation. This article examines bulk communications data surveillance through the lens of human rights law, undertaking critical examination of both the potential utility of bulk communications surveillance and – drawing on social science analysis – the potential human rights-related harm. It argues that utility and harm calculations can conceal the complex nature of contemporary digital surveillance practices, rendering current approaches to the ‘necessity’ test problematic. The article argues that (i) the distinction between content and communications data be removed; (ii) analysis of surveillance-related harm must extend beyond privacy implications and incorporate society-wide effects; and (iii) a more nuanced approach to bulk communications data be developed. Suggestions are provided as to how the ‘necessity’ of bulk surveillance measures may be evaluated, with an emphasis on understanding the type of activity that may qualify as ‘serious crime’.

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数字时代的批量监控：重新思考对通信数据进行批量监控的人权法方法

数字时代为国家监控活动带来了新的可能性和效力。重要的是批量通信数据监控的出现，它涉及通信数据的大规模收集、保留和后续分析。从人权法的角度来看，这些技术的规模和侵入性产生了关于其“必要性”的关键问题，并且它们是正在进行的基于人权的诉讼的主题。本文从人权法的角度审视批量通信数据监控，对批量通信监控的潜在效用以及（利用社会科学分析）潜在的与人权相关的危害进行批判性审查。它认为效用和危害计算可以掩盖当代数字监控实践的复杂性，使当前的“必要性”测试方法存在问题。该文章认为 (i) 内容和通信数据之间的区别被删除；(ii) 对监视相关伤害的分析必须超越隐私影响，并纳入全社会影响；(iii) 开发一种更细致入微的批量通信数据方法。就如何评估大规模监视措施的“必要性”提供了建议，重点是了解可能被认定为“严重犯罪”的活动类型。(ii) 对监视相关伤害的分析必须超越隐私影响，并纳入全社会影响；(iii) 开发一种更细致入微的批量通信数据方法。就如何评估大规模监视措施的“必要性”提供了建议，重点是了解可能被认定为“严重犯罪”的活动类型。(ii) 对监视相关伤害的分析必须超越隐私影响，并纳入全社会影响；(iii) 开发一种更细致入微的批量通信数据方法。就如何评估大规模监视措施的“必要性”提供了建议，重点是了解可能被认定为“严重犯罪”的活动类型。