Just being the status quo isn't an argument for the legality of such a database. It's true that (most) recordings and data collection in public are currently le

Just being the status quo isn't an argument for the legality of such a database. It's true that (most) recordings and data collection in public are currently legal. But the law was created at a time when there were natural limits to the aggregation and connection of such data. If new technology drastically changes what is possible with such data, it's up to society to change the law. Don't want the whole world to have access to your location data 20+ years back? Find enough people who agree, and it won't happen. There are many countries (i. e. all of Europe) where such a database would already be illegal, and I'm having a hard time thinking of the possible downsides. Sure, there's a sort of abstract notion of freedom at stake. But any real harm would require some slippery-slope argumentation. At the same time, there is a direct, obvious, and (in my opinion) rather strong loss of freedom that comes with such a breach of privacy. All those defending those neo-nazis in Charlottesville and their right to assembly should oppose something like this. Because with such a database, there'd be pretty good lists of everyone who participated in any such rallies in the last decade online right now. Want to keep your sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliation from your prospective employer? No longer possible. Happened to be in the same place as some criminal more than statistics would suggest? You're now a suspect. Etc etc.