I think it works like this: - A government agency or government contractor notes a new threat to the status quo - Question: Can we use technology to track, pr

I think it works like this: - A government agency or government contractor notes a new threat to the status quo - Question: Can we use technology to track, prevent, hinder or prosecute? - If answer is 'yes' then invest large sums of public money to effect the plan - If answer is 'maybe' then invest large sums of public money * 10 to evaluate and effect the plan - If answer is 'no' then invest large sums of public money * 100 to evaluate and attempt and evaluate multiple possible solutions. Therefore I believe that the underlying cause is money. Agencies and more often than not, third party companies who are trying to make a profit from government agencies are out there coming up with new ways to oppress the public. As a result the public fights back against the oppression. They can then be targetted as dissidents and the cycle ups a beat and continues round the merry-go-round. The sums of money getting higher and higher each time. Invent the problem, sell the solution, profit, repeat. It somewhat reminds me of the old idea that as a department (either of a private company or government) you should never ask for a new yearly budget lower than the year before. You always ask for more.