Schneier — “The panopticon is an architecture of social control…”

Source: Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World — Bruce Schneier

Book page: schneier-data-and-goliath-part-1

From: Bruce Schneier — Quotes

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The panopticon is an architecture of social control. Think of how you act when a police car is driving next to you, or how an entire country acts when state agents are listening to phone calls. When we know everything is being recorded, we are less likely to speak freely and act individually. When we are constantly under the threat of judgment, criticism, and correction for our actions, we become fearful that—either now or in the uncertain future—data we leave behind will be brought back to implicate us, by whatever authority has then become focused upon our once-private and innocent acts. In response, we do nothing out of the ordinary. We lose our individuality, and society stagnates. We don’t question or challenge power. We become obedient and submissive. We’re less free.