I know a shocking amount of innocent people who have been target of surveilance and criminal investigations or who even had their homes raided - in western euro

I know a shocking amount of innocent people who have been target of surveilance and criminal investigations or who even had their homes raided - in western european countries. Thankfully the courts are still working as they should, and all but one were fully acquitted. It can happen if you are a political activist in any fashion. Nothing violent, just speaking out for rent control and against gentrification can get you in trouble. Or hanging around with the wrong people. When it happens, you want to leave them as little rope as possible to hang you with. As I said, the courts still are honest and they won't make up evidence, but they will take everything they can find to make a case - and to learn about your structures and networks while they are at it. You are right, that in real oppressive regimes all bets are off. If they want to get you, they won't stop at their own laws. But even then, these techniques are useful against industrial espionage. If you are doing business in certain countries, the "evil maid" is quite real...