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I'll take a crack at a couple possibilities well, first, companies having this information is inherently not ok to the average person Second, agencies are pur

by fusslo 3y ago

I'll take a crack at a couple possibilities well, first, companies having this information is inherently not ok to the average person Second, agencies are purchasing this information with taxpayer money. So we're feeding a market that we may not agree with Third, government agencies have rules, and when these agencies skirt around the rules or find loopholes, it has a negative effect on that agency. Generally, a population wants their government to have a good reputation and agents of the government are following the rules. Fourth, and I think this may be the most important: government agencies have the authority and power to do things private companies cannot. government agencies can launch investigations, get legal advice from prosecutors, indite, get warrants, supena, arrest, detain, etc. All are invasive, expensive, and may result in a range of bad things (from paying lawyer costs all the way up to prison).

dgfitz 3y ago
> well, first, companies having this information is inherently not ok to the average person I sincerely disagree. The average person doesn't care. They should, but they absolutely do not. Don't fall into the hn-bubble trap. > Second, agencies are purchasing this information with taxpayer money. So we're feeding a market that we may not agree with If I had a nickel for everything the government did with my money that I disagree with I could quit my day job. > Third, government agencies have rules, and when these agencies skirt around the rules or find loopholes, it has a negative effect on that agency. Generally, a population wants their government to have a good reputation and agents of the government are following the rules. Generally, a population just wants to be "fat and happy" and secure. You're falling into the HN bubble trap again. > Fourth, and I think this may be the most important: government agencies have the authority and power to do things private companies cannot. government agencies can launch investigations, get legal advice from prosecutors, indite, get warrants, supena, arrest, detain, etc. All are invasive, expensive, and may result in a range of bad things (from paying lawyer costs all the way up to prison). Sure. Otherwise what's the point?
abeppu 3y ago
The last step of the journey we're on is when individuals taking steps to limit the data collected about them by corporations are charged with obstruction of justice because the government cannot buy enough data about them.

by fusslo 3y ago

dgfitz 3y ago

> well, first, companies having this information is inherently not ok to the average person I sincerely disagree. The average person doesn't care. They should, but they absolutely do not. Don't fall into the hn-bubble trap. > Second, agencies are purchasing this information with taxpayer money. So we're feeding a market that we may not agree with If I had a nickel for everything the government did with my money that I disagree with I could quit my day job. > Third, government agencies have rules, and when these agencies skirt around the rules or find loopholes, it has a negative effect on that agency. Generally, a population wants their government to have a good reputation and agents of the government are following the rules. Generally, a population just wants to be "fat and happy" and secure. You're falling into the HN bubble trap again. > Fourth, and I think this may be the most important: government agencies have the authority and power to do things private companies cannot. government agencies can launch investigations, get legal advice from prosecutors, indite, get warrants, supena, arrest, detain, etc. All are invasive, expensive, and may result in a range of bad things (from paying lawyer costs all the way up to prison). Sure. Otherwise what's the point?

abeppu 3y ago

The last step of the journey we're on is when individuals taking steps to limit the data collected about them by corporations are charged with obstruction of justice because the government cannot buy enough data about them.