3 ms·
Many people fear that a corrupt or authoritarian regime might misuse data to cause harm. However, the reality is that such regimes tend to carry out harmful act
by aierou 2y ago
Many people fear that a corrupt or authoritarian regime might misuse data to cause harm. However, the reality is that such regimes tend to carry out harmful actions regardless of the data they collect. Data can make their efforts more efficient, but the real danger lies in the regime's intent, not necessarily the data itself.
- mgraczyk 2y agoExactly, historical authoritarian states got by just fine by reading the mail and listening to conversations. You don't need to know which fragrance I bought last week to oppress me, and it wouldn't help anyway
- monkaiju 2y agoBut they broadly didnt actually get along just fine... Almost without exception they have falleb, commonly due to internal resistance. Making that internal resistabce harder via enhanced surveillance is the issue that could make future scenarios even worse.
- mgraczyk 2y ago[flagged]
- Tanoc 2y agoThe most defined example would probably be Apartheid South Africa. Despite being in a weak position, having few resources, and dealing with constant losses, the ANC were so successful in harassing the National Party over three decades that the National Party finally ceded power in 1993. This was enabled by radio broadcasts, fast printing, and starting in the late 1970s digital espionage. Information and the spread of information was tightly controlled by the National Party, which is one of the three major reasons why it took so long and why slow erosion was the only viability rather than full immediate revolution.
- singleshot_ 2y agothe British North American colonies