zlacker

>>benwer+(OP)
Are there any countries which have the capabilities to spy on their citizenry that do not? I think there’s this idea of American exceptionalism, that spying on citizens is something that happens elsewhere but not in the good ‘ol US of A. But that’s probably more propaganda than fact.

The US gov has trampled on essentially every right we were taught about in 4th grade schoolhouse rock. They infiltrated and spied on Muslims in Minnesota [1] and before that had an entire program of spying on any activist at all. Before that they put entire races (Germans and Japanese) in internment camps and SCOTUS said it was fine. Hell, they even bombed people in Philadelphia.

My point is, exploiting the 3rd party doctrine to spy on Americans might be out of step with your conception of America and what you think it should be, but it’s not out of step with the historical reality of America.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/magazine/fbi-terrorism-te...

>>janals+Cz3
> Are there any countries which have the capabilities to spy on their citizenry that do not?

The US?

Anyone who has worked with the IC knows that USPER data is highly controlled and targeting citizens requires layers upon layers of approvals and reviews. They collect every bit of data because having it and not needing it is obviously better than needing it and not having it.

Think of it this way: there is probably tons of data your employer has that you don't have access to. But just because HR has a record of how much they pay the receptionist doesn't imply everyone in the company is digging around in that data.