Government Purchase of Consumer Data for Surveillance
The U.S. government is buying up consumer data from various sources for surveillance and national security purposes, leading to concerns about privacy and civil liberties. Journalist Byron Tau's book 'Means of Control' sheds light on this opaque network of data brokers and the use of data in government programs. The use of 'gray data' from connected devices is expanding surveillance capabilities, raising questions about privacy and anonymity in everyday life.
Key Points
- Consumer data is being bought by the U.S. government for surveillance and national security purposes
- Government contractors are selling troves of data collected from various sources
- Privacy protections in the digital era have largely stalled in Congress
Pros
- Enhanced national security and law enforcement capabilities
- Potential for identifying patterns and outliers in data for public safety purposes
Cons
- Concerns about invasion of privacy and civil liberties
- Opacity and lack of transparency in government data acquisition practices