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Huge data leak shatters the lie that the innocent need not fear surveillance (theguardian.com)

800 points by ipster_io · 1894 days ago · 152 comments on HN

Article summary

A massive data leak has revealed that governments around the world have been using surveillance software to spy on critics, rivals, and opponents, shattering the notion that only those with something to hide need fear surveillance. The leak, which includes over 50,000 phone numbers, suggests that governments have been using the Pegasus spyware to target journalists, activists, and other individuals. Forensic analysis has confirmed that some of these individuals were successfully infected with the spyware, allowing their messages, photos, and location to be monitored. The leak has raised concerns about the abuse of surveillance technology by governments and the impact on individual privacy and freedom.

Main themes

  • surveillance
  • privacy
  • government abuse
  • individual freedom
  • democracy
  • technology regulation

What commenters say

  • The problem of surveillance is not just about individual privacy, but also about the potential for governments to use it as a tool of repression.
  • Many people are unaware of the risks of surveillance and do not take steps to protect their privacy because they do not see it as a personal risk.
  • The effort required to maintain privacy is constant and must be sustained, making it a significant burden for individuals.
  • Some argue that the ultimate trajectory of liberal democracy is towards anarchism, while others believe it is towards concentration of power and neo-feudalism.
  • The concept of privacy is complex and multifaceted, and individuals have different levels of comfort with sharing their personal information.
  • The use of surveillance technology by governments is a threat to democracy and individual freedom, and must be regulated and controlled.
  • Individuals have a responsibility to protect their own privacy and to demand that governments and corporations do the same.
  • The trade-off between convenience and privacy is a false dichotomy, and individuals should be aware of the risks and consequences of their choices.