historical-data-abuse
The misuse of population and personal data by governments for political repression, discrimination, and human rights violations.
2 chapters across 1 book
Dragnet Nation (2014)Julia Angwin
The chapter explores the pervasive nature of modern surveillance and data collection, illustrating how individuals like Sharon Gill and Bilal Ahmed are monitored even in private online spaces, often without clear consent. It highlights the technological advances that have enabled indiscriminate data dragnets by governments and corporations, discusses the legal and social ambiguities of privacy in the digital age, and warns of the potential abuses of personal data historically and in contemporary contexts.
Chapter 1, "Hacked," in Dragnet Nation explores the pervasive and often invasive nature of data collection and surveillance in contemporary society. It documents various examples of personal data being scraped, sold, and exploited by corporations, governments, and malicious actors, highlighting the erosion of privacy through technologies such as facial recognition, license plate readers, and cell phone tracking. The chapter also contextualizes these practices historically and legally, illustrating the blurred boundaries between lawful and unethical data use and the societal implications of living in a 'Dragnet Nation.'