The hottest Surveillance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

The Construction of a Dictatorship in the United States

Christopher Falcon • 78 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. Technocratic totalitarianism is a government system where tech experts, not elected officials, make decisions for the population.
  2. The FISA courts, created by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, have been criticized for lack of transparency and potential constitutional rights breaches.
  3. The NDAA signed by Obama in 2012 allowed for indefinite detention of American citizens without trial, raising concerns about erosion of civil liberties.

Farewell to the Safe Space

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. Utilizing AI for memory recall, like with Rewind AI, can be a beneficial tool for enhancing memory capabilities.
  2. There is a constant trade-off between personalization and privacy in the digital space, raising questions about the extent of data individuals are willing to share for customization.
  3. Emerging technologies such as surveillance devices and advanced software like Rewind AI prompt discussions on privacy expectations and the need for clear regulations to safeguard personal data.
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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
  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.

What Does Palantir Actually DO?

The Corbett Report • 30 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. Palantir is heavily involved in surveillance and data mining, providing software that helps government agencies track and analyze people’s actions and behaviors.
  2. The company uses its technology for predictive policing, trying to foresee criminal activities before they happen, which raises concerns about privacy and wrongful arrests.
  3. Palantir's reach has expanded into various sectors, including military contracts and retail, where it helps companies optimize operations at the potential cost of worker privacy.

American Panopticon

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. There's a growing concern about surveillance and loss of personal freedom in the U.S. Many feel like we are heading towards a totalitarian state if we don't resist this.
  2. The use of technology, like AI and big data, is making it easier for the government to track and control citizens. This poses a serious risk to our privacy and liberties.
  3. To combat this, it's important for people to become aware, take legal action against harmful practices, and advocate for privacy rights. Education and active participation in democracy are key.

We Are What We Click

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 04 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. Big Tech companies collect and sell our online data, which makes them extremely wealthy and invades our privacy. It’s important to be aware of how much information we share online.
  2. Cookies and algorithms create 'filter bubbles' that limit our exposure to different views and ideas. This can lead to social isolation and political division.
  3. We can take steps to protect our privacy online, like blocking cookies and clearing our search history. However, government regulations are also needed to help keep our data safe.

The Covert Gig-Work Surveillance CEO Arrested for Felony Domestic Violence

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 223 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
💼 Business Surveillance
  1. CEO of Premise Data, Maury Blackman, was arrested for felony domestic violence after a Christmas party.
  2. The incident involving the CEO and his girlfriend was not publicly reported as the victim recanted her initial statements.
  3. Premise Data, Blackman's company, has been accused of covert surveillance activities for U.S. defense and intelligence agencies.

The most valuable data in the world

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 18 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. Data is extremely valuable, often compared to oil, suggesting it drives many powerful technologies and decisions.
  2. There are concerns about the way data is being accessed and used by certain organizations, which may not be following legal protocols.
  3. With advancements in AI, especially for government use, there is a risk to personal privacy and security as sensitive information could be mismanaged.

German domestic intelligence services disclose their extensive surveillance of former CDU politician Hans-Georg Maaßen for his criticism of globalism, the Green Party, mass migration and state media

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 159 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Surveillance
  1. Former CDU politician Hans-Georg Maaßen is under extensive surveillance for criticizing globalism, the Green Party, mass migration, and state media.
  2. German domestic intelligence services are closely monitoring Maaßen's activities, including his social media posts and press statements.
  3. Criticism of the government, Greens, mass migration, and state media can lead to being labeled a 'right-wing extremist' and attract attention from political police.

Best Infosec-Related Long Reads for the Week of 2/3/24

Metacurity • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. London Underground is testing real-time AI surveillance tools to spot crime, a first for the transport body.
  2. AI is being used to generate alerts sent to frontline staff based on live video footage monitored by the system.
  3. Transport for London (TfL) operated the AI system at Willesden Green Tube station, which had 25,000 visitors per day before the pandemic.

Surveillance firm backed by Google and CIA allegedly defaulted on $370,000 per month rent

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 203 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
💼 Business Surveillance
  1. Orbital Insight, a surveillance firm backed by Google and CIA, allegedly defaulted on $370,000 per month rent
  2. Orbital Insight was sued by its landlord and subtenants for failing to pay rent for its Silicon Valley HQ
  3. The company had significant investments, including from Google Ventures and the U.S. Intelligence Community

Dems Blast "Threat" Of "So-Called Journalists" As Taibbi, Shellenberger Expose "State-Sponsored Thought-Policing"

Global Community Weekly (GloCom) • 39 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. Dems are criticizing 'so-called journalists' like Taibbi and Shellenberger for exposing state-sponsored thought-policing
  2. The United States is being likened to Nazi Germany, with various secret police agencies demanding total obedience
  3. Access to full post archives requires a 7-day free trial subscription to Global Community Weekly

Right on cue, the military-industrial complex

Silicon Reckoner • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. There are concerns about the involvement of tech companies in military-industrial complex activities.
  2. Booz Allen Hamilton's connections to surveillance activities and collaborations raise questions about their motives.
  3. The concept of 'human compatible' AI is questioned in relation to corporate interests and ethical considerations.

The Beekeeper's Dilemma

Breaking Smart • 18 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. The main character, GD, is considering retiring from his detective work because cases have become rare and unfulfilling. He’s thinking that maybe it’s time to explore other passions.
  2. GD has developed a serious interest in beekeeping, which he finds enjoyable and meaningful despite feeling he’s moving away from his original career in law enforcement.
  3. The policing environment has changed a lot since GD started, focusing less on justice and more on control, making him feel outdated and disconnected from the current system.

Israel Is Field-Testing Autonomous Weapons, Cops and Pre-Crime News, Congressional Trading Fun

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 55 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. Israel is using autonomous weapons that can operate without human control. This raises concerns about accountability for their actions.
  2. Weapons tested on Palestinians are being developed for global markets, increasing demand for Israeli military technology.
  3. There are troubling ties between police actions and corporate interests, highlighting how law enforcement can be used to serve business goals.

The FIRST law Elon Musk and DOGE should ask Donald Trump to dump

Unreported Truths • 54 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. A new law requires companies to report their owners' information to the government. Many people think this is a bad idea because it expands government control.
  2. A judge recently ruled that this reporting requirement could be unconstitutional. He said it goes against the principles of how states manage corporate laws.
  3. Business owners could face big fines if they don’t comply with these rules. If the government doesn't drop the appeal against this ruling, many people will be unhappy.

Their emotions are a carefully constructed facade

Internal exile • 42 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture 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.

Stop the Genetic Panopticon!

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. The proposal would require travelers to provide five years of social media posts and a DNA sample, creating a large linked database of online activity and genetic information.
  2. Collecting this information would greatly expand government surveillance and make it easier to profile or monitor people without clear boundaries.
  3. The plan raises serious privacy and civil liberties concerns and needs public scrutiny, legal limits, and safeguards to prevent abuse.

German domestic intelligence services are now targeting political dissidents considered guilty of "delegitimising" the state, in yet another ominous development reminiscent of the DDR

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 113 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Surveillance
  1. German domestic intelligence services are targeting political dissidents for 'delegitimising' the state, resembling oppressive practices of the past.
  2. The concept of 'Delegitimisation of the State' has been introduced, restricting certain political dissent akin to past authoritarian regimes.
  3. Criticism and comparisons between the Federal Republic and the DDR are now being monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).

Europe's Financial Crime Hunters

False Positive • 19 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💰 Finance Surveillance
  1. ACER, an EU agency, functions as supranational detectives to monitor energy markets in all member states and detect international manipulation.
  2. Energy market liberalization created opportunities for financial crimes like manipulation through financial contracts rather than actual energy trading.
  3. The EU is establishing AMLA to combat cross-border money laundering, introducing a supranational monitoring system to address weaknesses in the current national-level approach.

The Rise of Surveillance Bureaucracy

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. Surveillance bureaucracy uses digital technologies like sensors, cameras, and monitoring software to improve efficiency and compliance in both government and business.
  2. The rise of surveillance bureaucracy has unintended consequences, leading to resistance and workarounds by surveilled individuals in various industries.
  3. Challenges from non-profit organizations and legal battles are emerging to address the ethical implications of digital surveillance technologies and the need for privacy protections.

Covert gigwork surveillance platform attempts to claw back disclosures of its intelligence clients

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 142 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. Premise Data's CEO is trying to keep the names of the military and spy agencies the company works for a secret.
  2. There is a legal battle over disclosing intelligence clients, with requests for documents to be clawed back and redacted.
  3. The legal dispute involves claims of national security reasons and maintaining marketplace competitiveness for secrecy.

Answering reader questions on H5N1

Force of Infection • 35 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics 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.

AI and Humanity's Future

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. AI is changing our world quickly, but it brings both benefits and serious risks. We need to pay attention to how it could threaten humanity and the environment.
  2. Many jobs are disappearing because of AI, and society isn't ready for these changes. We should think about how to support people as the job market shifts.
  3. We need to come together to educate ourselves and push for better rules around AI. Communities must work together to ensure that AI benefits everyone, not just a few corporations.

Open Agency model can solve the AI regulation dilemma

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. Concerns about AI regulation revolve around AI monopolization and concentration of power.
  2. The Open Agency model proposes approved specialized AI services and glue AIs to prevent concentration of power.
  3. This model aims to address core concerns of anti-AI regulation individuals regarding power concentration and freedom of political and ethical views.

Mysteries at the Top of Sky and at the Bottom of the Swamp: Drones, Barbarians and Gatekeepers (Part One)

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 27 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. There are many mysterious drone sightings happening all over the world, especially close to sensitive areas like military bases and nuclear sites. This raises questions about who is operating these drones and why they are flying in these restricted airspaces.
  2. The U.S. government's lack of response or clarity about these drone activities seems strange. It leads people to wonder if there is more going on that the public isn't being told, or if they fear that acknowledging these threats could escalate tensions with foreign nations.
  3. Some theories suggest the drones might be linked to foreign powers or even covert government operations. This uncertainty leaves local authorities frustrated and worried about potential dangers.

OSD 306: 2024 in review

Open Source Defense • 24 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  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.

Mysteries at the Top of Sky and at the Bottom of the Swamp: Drones, Barbarians and Gatekeepers (Part Two)

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 24 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. There's a lot of strange stuff happening with drones and UAPs. Sometimes, it seems like electronics go haywire when these drones show up, which is unusual.
  2. The government seems to have a plan to flood the skies with drones to confuse people. If they shoot something down, it’ll be hard to tell if it was a drone or an alien craft.
  3. There's a worry that the government is stifling new tech companies to keep their secrets safe. Some believe they might be hiding advanced technologies from the public.

Pentagon is Combining Corporate Records and Social Media Surveillance to Guide Hacking and Influence Operations

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 101 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Surveillance
  1. Pentagon is combining corporate records and social media surveillance for hacking and influence operations.
  2. Corporate surveillance firms were discussing providing bulk surveillance data for purposes like protecting the NATO brand.
  3. U.S. military and intelligence agencies are developing offensive information warfare industry using social media surveillance, corporate records analysis, and cellphone location-tracking.

January 18, 2025

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics 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.

What We Learned in 2024

The Corbett Report • 20 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. The president doesn't actually run the country; there's a deeper system of power behind the scenes. It's important to understand who really makes decisions.
  2. The truth eventually comes out, even after being hidden for a long time. This year made it clear that misinformation can eventually be challenged and corrected.
  3. There is now a shift where 'alternative' media is becoming more mainstream. People are turning away from traditional media sources and exploring new ways to get information.

Drones: Panic Or Perception?

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 21 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Surveillance
  1. The public often overreacts to drone presence, which can cause unnecessary panic. It's important to look at the facts and not just the fear surrounding drones.
  2. Individual analysis of situations like drones is crucial rather than relying solely on popular opinion. People should make their own informed decisions based on evidence.
  3. Understanding the situation surrounding drones requires careful examination of the evidence rather than following what others say or think.

How to Get Your Tax Cattle to LOVE Digital ID

The Corbett Report • 21 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance
  1. Digital IDs are being pushed as a way to control and monitor people's actions, starting with tracking and eventually influencing how they buy or sell things. It's about creating a system where everyone is accounted for.
  2. Different approaches are used to convince both left- and right-wing individuals to accept digital IDs. For some, it’s about safety and security, while for others, it plays on fears related to immigration or children’s safety online.
  3. The idea of a digital ID is presented as something beneficial, but it can lead to increased government control and restrictions. There's a fear of losing individual freedom and privacy if everyone accepts these IDs.