The hottest Surveillance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Transcript - America This Week, Feb 21, 2025: "Looking Back on Trump's First Month"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1124 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Surveillance Civil Liberties
  1. Privacy is becoming a bigger issue, especially with new laws in the UK asking companies like Apple to give backdoor access to personal data. This raises concerns about keeping our information safe.
  2. There's a shift happening where some politicians are starting to speak up for civil liberties and privacy rights. It's important that both parties work together on this issue to make real change.
  3. The crazy atmosphere of Las Vegas can really mess with your mind. It’s like being in a different world without normal life routines, making even simple tasks feel surreal.

Google, 2001: Don’t Be Evil

Marcus on AI • 6481 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Internet Data Privacy Corporate ethics Surveillance
  1. Google's original motto was 'Don't Be Evil,' but that seems to have changed significantly by 2025. This shift raises concerns about the company's intentions and actions involving powerful AI technologies.
  2. The current landscape of AI development is driven by competition and profits. Companies like Google feel pressured to prioritize making money over ethical considerations.
  3. There is fear that as AI becomes more powerful, it may end up in the wrong hands, leading to potentially dangerous applications. This evolution reflects worries about how society and businesses are dealing with AI advancements.

AI End Game

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence AGI Surveillance Ethics
  1. We are getting close to achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which could change everything about how society works. It's important to consider how this might affect people's jobs and overall life.
  2. Some powerful people believe that with AGI, they can gain more control and lessen the need for human workers, which could lead to a society where only a few have the power and wealth. This situation might make many people feel unnecessary and unvalued.
  3. There is a real danger that if we don't act soon to share the benefits of AI fairly, the rich will have control and power over everyone else. If this continues, it could lead to major issues, including attempts to reduce the population.

The U.S. Government silently disabled anonymous public access to billions of dollars of military AI contracts

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 1546 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Military Contracts Surveillance Transparency
  1. The U.S. Government has made it harder for the public to access information about military AI contracts by requiring a Login.gov account and surveillance consent.
  2. Anonymous access to contract details was shut down, impacting transparency on billions in military spending, especially for contracts known as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs).
  3. Despite these changes, access to the data was briefly restored, and there are ongoing discussions about improving transparency and reporting for OTAs.

Amazon Is Censoring My Most Recent Magazine Issue

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2025 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Surveillance Media Political Climate Public Opinion
  1. Amazon blocked a magazine issue without explaining why, but later reversed its decision after some noise was made. It's important to pay attention to how platforms handle free speech.
  2. There's skepticism about a recent fake incident of antisemitism in Sydney, showing the need to question narratives we hear, especially related to politics and social issues.
  3. Being happy and staying informed can go hand in hand. Facing truths in life leads to true happiness, rather than avoiding painful feelings.
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Peter Thiel Reveals How Scared Oligarchs Are Of The People

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3799 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Oligarchy Public Opinion Surveillance Health care Social Inequality
  1. Billionaires like Peter Thiel are really worried about how much power the public has. They know that if people get angry, it could lead to serious consequences for them.
  2. The rich often focus on controlling how the public thinks. They use propaganda to distract people and keep their power.
  3. New technology, like robotic security forces, is being developed to protect the powerful from the masses. It's like they're trying to find a way to maintain control before people become fed up with the unfair system.

The Monster AI, Security, and Wars That Come Home

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 80 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Security War AI Surveillance
  1. AI is not just a technological advancement; it's driven by greed and will harm our political health and the environment. People are using AI without realizing the damage it causes.
  2. The security state in the U.S. is expanding its control under the guise of safety, which affects everyone. The focus is shifting towards monitoring thoughts and speech to prevent crime.
  3. The conflict abroad, especially in places like Gaza, can lead to violence and unrest at home. Understanding this connection is crucial as it shows the consequences of current U.S. policies.

Drones

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1988 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Drones Surveillance AI Military Consumer Tech
  1. Drones are increasingly present in our lives, taking over both our skies and our privacy. It's unsettling how they surveil us and even interfere with our daily routines.
  2. Drones are being used in war zones in disturbing ways, like using sound to draw civilians out of hiding. This raises concerns about ethics and humanity in warfare.
  3. The rise of drones signifies a shift from nature to technology in our environment. This change is affecting our connection to the natural world and what it means to be human.

Surveillance Capitalism 2024, Wrapped

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 1587 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Surveillance Data Privacy Social media Corporate Influence Digital Culture
  1. Big Tech companies are constantly watching and tracking us online to influence our choices. Unlike birdwatching, which doesn’t affect the birds, their surveillance has a real impact on our lives and decisions.
  2. Many tech companies try to make us feel comfortable with their data collection by presenting it as a personal service. They package our surveillance data in a fun way, like Spotify's yearly 'Wrapped' feature, making it seem like something we actually want.
  3. This 'wrapping' makes us expect and accept surveillance as normal. It's similar to being trained to respond to signals, and it can change how we behave, often without us realizing it.

Some Thoughts On The Mystery Drones

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2095 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Security Surveillance Public Opinion Media
  1. There have been many sightings of large drones on the east coast of the US, but the government claims it doesn't know who owns them or where they are from.
  2. Some reported sights may just be people misidentifying regular aircraft or stars, but there are still documented cases of unusual flying objects that don't fit these explanations.
  3. The US government either doesn't know what's happening with these drones or is not being honest about it, leading to a lot of speculation and concern among the public.

Global Elites Ram Digital IDs To Prevent Populist Victories

Public • 404 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Government Populism Digital Identity Globalization
  1. Governments are considering using a single app to store all personal information, which would make it easy for citizens to access important documents. This includes everything from vaccination status to tax records.
  2. This app could also give governments the power to control people's access to public services based on their behavior online. If someone spreads misinformation or hate speech, they could lose access to certain services.
  3. Digital IDs and tracking could lead to more surveillance and privacy concerns for citizens. Many fear that this could be a way for elites to maintain control and prevent populist movements.

Is a Foreign Adversary Flying Drones over New Jersey?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1303 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Government Defense Public Policy Surveillance
  1. There have been strange reports of large drones flying over critical places in New Jersey. Residents are confused and want to know where these drones are coming from.
  2. A congressman suggested that an Iranian mothership is behind the drone sightings, but this claim was quickly denied by the Pentagon. They said there is no evidence of such a mothership.
  3. Local and state officials are struggling to provide clear answers about the drones. Despite concerns, the Pentagon states that there has been no threat to military installations.

New technologies, new totalitarians

Noahpinion • 18882 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media National Security Surveillance Global Influence
  1. The rise of new technologies like smartphones and social media has presented democracies with a formidable opponent in the form of techno-totalitarian regimes.
  2. China employs a strategy of 'sharp power' to manipulate foreign entities and influence global affairs, utilizing tactics like espionage, social media manipulation, and economic coercion.
  3. China's unique totalitarian approach extends beyond its borders to control the narrative about China, influence the diaspora, and emphasize supremacy of ethnicity over citizenship, posing a new challenge for democracies and liberal principles.

Israel, the NSA, Plastic Brains and the Pathologically Rich

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 65 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Government Privacy Wealth Surveillance
  1. The NSA shares raw intelligence data with Israel, including personal information about American citizens, without removing their details first. This reveals serious privacy concerns about how intelligence is handled.
  2. Israel is known to actively spy on the U.S., raising questions about trust between allied nations. Reports suggest that Israel has even engaged in espionage against the U.S.
  3. A small group of extremely wealthy people, labeled 'superbillionaires', has amassed a staggering combined wealth of $3.3 trillion. This highlights the growing wealth gap in the world.

Many Reporters Paid for Covering the Russiagate Story

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9504 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Media Surveillance Intelligence Collusion
  1. Many reporters who covered the Russiagate story faced backlash and criticism for their reporting.
  2. Various journalists and media figures who exposed illegal surveillance and manufactured intelligence in the Trump-Russia investigation were targeted and discredited by mainstream commentators.
  3. Despite facing pushback, these reporters like Glenn Greenwald, John Solomon, and Lee Smith continued to investigate and report on the inaccuracies surrounding the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.

Financial Big Brother is Watching You

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8813 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Financial regulation Free speech
  1. Financial institutions are using transaction data to monitor for 'extremism indicators' like certain purchases or travel patterns.
  2. Financial surveillance, enhanced by AI, allows institutions to create detailed profiles of individuals and potentially restrict their access to financial services.
  3. The rise of 'political credit scores' may lead to non-illegal behaviors being punished effectively, similar to how speech is censored.

What we learned at Davos 2024: global aristocracy intends on 'Rebuilding Trust' through censorship and surveillance

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 3950 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global Surveillance Censorship Climate China
  1. The global elite at Davos aim to 'Rebuild Trust' through censorship and surveillance.
  2. Davos lacks real debate as participants are vetted for conformity to agenda narratives.
  3. Davos 2024 focused on familiar topics like climate change and stakeholder capitalism.

Pentagon confirms erasure of Project Maven-related contract records

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 712 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Defense Surveillance Legislation National Security
  1. The Pentagon deleted public records of a $200 million AI surveillance contract called Project Maven, raising concerns about transparency.
  2. They justified this erasure by citing national security rules that allow withholding information from public databases.
  3. Some agencies, like the CIA, are exempt from certain federal procurement regulations, making it unclear how broadly these rules are applied.

Their emotions are a carefully constructed facade

Internal exile • 42 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Media Identity Technology Consumerism Surveillance
  1. People often create a facade of emotions to hide their true feelings. This can lead to a disconnect between how they present themselves and how they really are.
  2. Submitting images online can reveal a lot about personal information without one even realizing it. Companies use these images to draw conclusions about us that might not be accurate.
  3. Scrolling through social media can make people feel outraged or fearful, but it often prevents them from taking real action. This cycle of reaction without action can be discouraging and unproductive.

The quiet integration of 'Project Maven' and the Pentagon's cloud with 'Minotaur' maritime border surveillance

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 590 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Military Intelligence Technology Border control
  1. Project Maven is being integrated with the Minotaur Mission System to help border surveillance. This setup is used by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.
  2. The Minotaur system combines different types of surveillance data, making it easier to detect illegal activities. It links sensors, cameras, and radar into one automated system.
  3. Amazon Web Services is involved in providing cloud support for Minotaur, highlighting the role of big tech in military surveillance programs.

Department Of Homeland Security Illegally Targeted Covid Dissent, New Documents Suggest

Michael Shellenberger • 1354 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Censorship Surveillance Public Health Civil Rights
  1. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) might have illegally targeted people who disagreed with COVID-19 policies by pushing social media to censor certain opinions.
  2. New documents suggest that DHS started monitoring COVID-related speech as early as February 2020, raising concerns about overstepping its legal boundaries.
  3. This surveillance and censorship might violate laws that restrict government agencies from involving themselves in issues without clear permission from Congress.

Quyền riêng tư và phiên tòa chuyến bay giải cứu

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 3574 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Privacy Surveillance Data Collection Ethics
  1. The central focus of the rescue flight trial is the confrontation between two of the finest Vietnamese police officers.
  2. The evidence presented includes a video of one officer receiving a bag and call records between the two officers.
  3. The importance of being mindful of the data and metadata we leave behind in our daily lives, as it can potentially be used against us.

One Health and the Deep State

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Surveillance Environmental health Legislation
  1. The One Health initiative focuses on balancing the health of humans, animals, and the environment, which can sometimes seem anti-human. This means decisions may prioritize animal or environmental health over human needs.
  2. There's a concern that the One Health approach could lead to more government surveillance and control over individuals' lives, similar to socialism. It aims for fairness but might treat people differently to achieve that.
  3. The recent One Health framework by the CDC is seen as a plan for future pandemic responses, encompassing broader issues like climate change and social health, which could restrict personal freedoms.

TfL's AI Tube Station experiment is amazing and slightly terrifying

Odds and Ends of History • 2278 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Surveillance Transportation Data Analysis Digital innovation
  1. AI technology, like the one used in TfL's Tube Station experiment, is rapidly changing and being implemented in various sectors.
  2. AI cameras at stations can have a wide range of uses, from enhancing security to improving passenger welfare and gathering statistical data.
  3. While AI technology offers numerous benefits, there are also concerns about privacy, surveillance, and potential misuse of the technology.

RFK Jr. Is Even Dumber Than We Thought

Discourse Blog • 648 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politicians Civil Rights Conspiracy Theories Surveillance
  1. RFK Jr. is criticized for defending the Kennedy administration's role in FBI surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.
  2. RFK Jr.'s comments are seen as ignorant and tone-deaf, considering the context and historical significance.
  3. Despite familial loyalty, there is value in acknowledging and admitting when family members have done wrong.

January 18, 2025

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Government Public Policy Surveillance
  1. The FTC found that companies often change prices based on personal information about customers, like where they live and what they buy. This means people might pay different prices for the same product.
  2. Trump's team is starting mass deportations soon, aiming to focus on cities with many immigrants. However, this plan may change due to backlash after it leaked.
  3. The U.S. is facing issues like rising egg prices due to avian flu and a looming debt ceiling. Solutions will need quick action and smart politics to avoid further problems.

Answering reader questions on H5N1

Force of Infection • 35 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Control Epidemiology Surveillance
  1. There are strong surveillance systems in place for detecting H5N1 and other influenza viruses, which helps identify outbreaks among humans quickly.
  2. While experts are confident about detecting severe H5N1 cases in hospitals, some mild cases may go unnoticed in outpatient settings.
  3. Global surveillance for H5N1 is uneven; some countries have great systems while others are less prepared, making it important to stay alert to potential cases everywhere.

Surveillance Education (w/ Nolan Higdon and Allison Butler) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 89 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🚌 Education Surveillance Privacy Technology Data Analysis
  1. Technology in schools can invade student privacy. Many tools are designed for safety but can monitor students in ways they might not agree with.
  2. Surveillance tools can discriminate against students of color and those from poor neighborhoods. They often increase the risk of negative consequences for these groups.
  3. The culture of constant monitoring can stifle curiosity and free expression in classrooms, turning them into places where students just comply rather than learn actively.

💛 Artificial Intelligence: A Boon for Humanity or a Dreadful Weapon of Tyranny?

The Glenn Meder Newsletter • 530 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Surveillance Ethics Privacy Manipulation
  1. Artificial intelligence has advanced rapidly, blurring the line between human and AI interactions.
  2. Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook use AI to manipulate public opinion and influence elections.
  3. AI, in the hands of those seeking power, can be a dangerous tool for control and manipulation of individuals and society.

Fighting Crime with Space Technologies

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Space Tech Law enforcement Surveillance Crime Prevention Satellite imagery
  1. Law enforcement is increasingly using satellite technology to monitor and fight crime. This includes tracking illegal activities like drug trafficking and deforestation, which are hard to spot from the ground.
  2. Drones are becoming important tools for police work. They can quickly gather information in emergencies and help locate missing persons, improving response times and resource use.
  3. Crime investigation in space poses unique challenges. Scientists are researching how things like blood behave differently in low gravity, which could help solve future crimes in space.

Chinese balloon was not spying, US gov't admits months after manufactured crisis

Geopolitical Economy Report • 797 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Cold War Surveillance National Security
  1. The US government admitted that the Chinese balloon incident was not related to spying, but likely due to strong winds, debunking the initial accusations.
  2. The media and US government exaggerated the situation, using it to create a Cold War-like propaganda against China, though evidence later proved otherwise.
  3. Despite the claims of surveillance capabilities, subsequent analysis showed that the balloon's sensors were never activated over US territory, making the entire scandal a manufactured crisis.

OSD 306: 2024 in review

Open Source Defense • 24 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Rights Surveillance Government Power
  1. The news shows a trend of increasing government control using technology, like surveillance and social credit systems. This raises important questions about privacy and safety.
  2. The concept of accountability is being discussed, especially regarding parents and their children’s actions. It's important to understand how our responsibilities can affect others.
  3. There’s a belief that many people feel free while living in a system with hidden restrictions. It’s crucial to recognize the signs of these limitations to truly understand our freedoms.

What we learned at Davos 2024: global aristocracy intends on 'Rebuilding Trust' through censorship and surveillance

The Dossier • 903 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Surveillance Censorship International relations Leadership
  1. The conference theme was 'Rebuilding Trust' but no one acknowledged any wrongdoing.
  2. There was no real debate at Davos, just a gathering for the global ruling class to unite behind shared agendas.
  3. China took the spotlight at Davos, while the event faced low American representation and criticism from outside sources.

Anomaly detection firm tied to numerous former CIA officials affiliated with Beacon Global accidentally published its confidential data brokerage and persona management agreements

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 854 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Security National Defense Surveillance Government Contracts
  1. Orbis Operations, led by former CIA officials, accidentally published confidential data agreements.
  2. Anomaly detection techniques used by intelligence agencies and corporations focus on detecting anomalies and insider threats.
  3. National security data brokers like Orbis fuse various data sources for surveillance and intelligence gathering.