I’m confuse why people would think their government is spying on them. You’re actually not that interesting.

There is no question that the US government and its partners in the 5 eyes spy on its citizens as well as the citizens of other nations.

It's unfortunate you have chosen to make light of this, hopefully you or anyone you care about won't be subjected to consequences for the dumb things you say, but hey, if so, you can just make jokes about it, amiright?

Imagine the manpower it would take to monitor 350 million people 24/7. I can't get three open lanes at Target.

They pick up metadata, but such is the price of living in the Electronic Age. You cannot simultaneously choose life online and demand privacy any more than you can jump into water and expect to stay dry.

If anyone is truly worried about privacy, take a look at that voluminous contract you're signing every time you click a box to register for something. Amazon already knows what you're going to call your unborn child and which colors they'll prefer.

Don't fear you government, fear Bezos and Zuckerberg.

And yet computerization makes it more and more likely. It isn't paranoia when they're actually doing it.

It’s obvious you have never heard of Edward Snowden, and what he exposed about the government spying on Americans. That’s one piece of evidence, but there are many, many, many more, and it’s only gotten worse since then. They know all about you. They control you. But ... you already know this. You are probably a shill for the Left, or a bot because no one can be this dense with all that’s going on.

They have satellites that have technology to look into our homes and see into it and can detect a dime laying on the floor. Why would they have that technology unless they were snooping around? We have smart phones, smart TVs, smart refrigerators, video security systems, they can see plenty that way too if they want. I’ve taped over my laptop cam for a decade.

Unfortunately both things can be true: we are of no interest, and they are spying on us. Once an organization exists it's principal interest is in continuing to exist. The easiest way to do that is to expand.

Judging by the replies here there’s a general lack of sense of humour.

Yeah agreed. I think some bored people have built themselves into a spy film.

1. They dont pay for the equipment, its built into the equipment we buy.
2. Its algorithmic programs set with parameters and key words .
3, Even general information and pattern infromation on a mass scale is usable.

Yes, most of us are boring, but information on web preferences purchases and sites visited gives population trends, which is highly usable information .

You have no idea.

Democracy threatens the system. People as individuals aren't interesting. But, as a nation, we're controlled by artificial intelligence in the hands of tech experts with far right, pro war, capitalist politics. We're carefully monitored because they're afraid of us

I had a letter a few years back from the tax office asking me if I'd been paid too much child benefit and possibly owed them something. As one part of government doesn't know what another is doing, I'm not too worried about them spying on me.

🙃you may be onto something!! its just all those chips in the gadgets they are spying on and tracking that most people cant live without.

We are the ones who are paying for it

I don't think it's the government

Well to be fair it's been both whistelblown and admitted that our go governement in fact does just that. Also that several big name corporations do as well. So it isn't a question, it's a demonstrated fact.