What's the point of surveiling citizenry? - eviltoast

Full blown essay like answers are more than welcomed. What does the ‘ruling class’ gains from surveiling it’s own population. What do they fear the most? What there is to lose, what there is to gain?

  • udon@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    For politicians: Gesturing that you “do something” against the “rampant crime” happening everywhere, which makes you appear as if you care about citizens. On the other hand, actually doing something (e.g., preventative measures) is too expensive and doesn’t make you look cool as a politician. If you introduce the new surveillance ‘AI’ 2000 ™ by Future Corp., you represent safety, power, future, even if there is nothing meaningful behind it.

    For Future Corp.: Sell a lot of shit to politicians and profit.