VICTORIA - An international study will look at the privacy implications of security put in place for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Five universities in Canada and the United Kingdom will take part in the $2.5-million study, including the University of Victoria, Queen's University, University of Toronto and the University of Alberta.

Colin Bennett of UVic said Tuesday that huge events like the Olympics use measures such as video surveillance that last long after the event is over.

"Among other things, this research initiative will look at the social consequences of monitoring human action and behaviour for issues such as privacy, civil liberties, discrimination and equity," Bennett said.

(Article continues below)

The study will also look at the intrusive ways in which personal data is collected by cyber-networking websites such as Facebook and Google.

"New surveillance technologies are making individuals more transparent than they've ever been," Bennett said.

"Whether or not privacy invades on an individual level there are a range of deeper questions about whether or not we wish to live in a society where so much of our behaviour can be monitored."

The security budget for the 2010 Games hasn't been finalized but it's been suggested it will cost more than $350 million.