Spying and Gamification, a good idea?

Anyone can be a spy: sign in at Internet Eyes and help shop owners to spot a thief. Thousands of miles away form the actual shop, citizen spies can earn badges and some money. Some time ago Daily Mail reported on how the game elements are put into the design of this modern spying machine: 1. Players collect points by watching the cameras, which show CCTV images in real-time, and click a button every time they see something suspicious taking place. 2. An SMS or text message, along with a still image of the alleged crime, is sent to whoever controls the camera. They can then decide whether or not to take action. 3. The camera controller will send a feedback email back to the player indicating whether a crime has taken place. 4. Players are awarded one point for spotting a suspected crime and three points if they see someone committing an actual crime. 5. Players also lose points if the camera operator rules that the alert was not a crime. Watch the video on how this game of catching crooks works. Spot a terrorist in a crowd Amateurs looking for criminals might not be the most effective way to handle crime. The alternative for crowdsourcing could be using advanced video technologies that can spot strange behavior and recognize faces. Parts of the technology comes from missile target identification. This video explains how it works. What do you prefer? Crowds watching the camera’s or using advanced video analytics?