Most of us can grasp that we’re not alone, at least when it comes to the government watching us. We know that it’s on some level, though we’ll probably never grasp how deep it could be. While you might not have done anything to be on their radar, you do have areas of your life that let them know things about you.
DNA Testing
If you’ve embraced DNA testing, you might be sharing your information with the government. While it’s unclear how far this could go, law enforcement has been able to request information and has been successful in obtaining it. That’s how the Golden State Killer case was finally solved after being a cold case for years.
Cell Phones
This is probably the most obvious one that people suspect. We joke about what we shouldn’t type or say on a cell phone, but the truth is that if someone wants to get inside your phone, they usually need a warrant. The same applies to your phone records. Though if you’re suspected of a crime, law enforcement could potentially gain access to them.
Weapons
If you’ve ever tried to purchase weapons (like a firearm), the purchase isn’t a private matter. Sales records will enable law enforcement to identify who bought the gun if it is used in a crime, and the same applies to background checks. This is probably obvious, like the cell phone, but some people don’t realize that these records could be public.
Surveillance Cameras
If you’ve ever passed by a light camera, law enforcement agency, or other area that has a surveillance camera, you’ve been noticed. They can use this footage to solve crimes, discourage people from breaking traffic laws, and prevent other crimes from happening. However, it sometimes makes mistakes and misidentifies people.
Alexa
Alexa seems to know a lot, but it can track things you’re not aware of. It’s convenient to use the device, connect things, and have it help us wake up and go about our day, but it collects data that you might not want it tracking. The data is used commercially, but it should be noted that it may be made available if needed.
Webcams
If you have a webcam, you should be aware that hackers can use it to capture images and potentially spy on you. It’s postulated that the government can do this as well. An FBI director even claimed that he covers his own laptop’s camera. It’s recommended that, if you don’t want to take any chances, you put a piece of duct tape, at the very least, on the camera to cover it.
You’ve Visited Certain Sites
So, you should know that if you visit a government site to see if they’re spying on you, the site will show them that you’ve visited, along with the website you came from and your IP address, depending on the site. It also shows what search words you’ve used and what you clicked on.
Medicine
PDMPs, or prescription drug monitoring programs, are state-sponsored electronic databases that track the medications prescribed by doctors. PDMPs are put in place to help doctors see when drugs are being abused. However, it was suggested years ago that a larger database may be developed in the future to track more information, thereby aiding machine learning and predictive analytics.
Social Media
Government agencies can monitor social media platforms for threats and gather information related to activities such as criminal activity. It’s speculated that they can also engage with companies to conduct surveillance to gather additional information where necessary. That has made people more conscious of what they’re posting on social media.
Snail Mail
Snail mail isn’t as popular as it once was, with people opting for automatic online billing to make things easier. Still, Postal Service computers will photograph the outside of every piece of paper mail that’s processed. Those pictures can be sent to law enforcement. It’s estimated that thousands of pieces of mail undergo this surveillance each year.
Drones
Law enforcement is increasingly utilizing drones for surveillance purposes. The drones are domestic, and they are said to have significant beneficial uses. They are used for mapping, science, and search and rescue missions. The issue is that they can be deployed without proper regulations, while being equipped with speakers for recording conversations, infrared technology, facial recognition software, and other advanced features.
License Plates
License plates can help the government track people’s movements because a growing network of cameras can capture and store data from license plates before sharing it (if they choose to, and if need be). For instance, Fremont voted to allow cameras to record the plates of all the cars that drive by.
Facial Recognition
This type of recognition allows the public to be tracked on a more widespread level, and it’s most often used by law enforcement. For instance, if a police officer has facial recognition glasses, they can locate a missing child. Some government agencies have utilized these systems for security purposes and to deter fraud.
Biometric Data
Government agencies, such as the NGI and the NDIS, can collect and store information, including facial recognition, fingerprints, and DNA. This allows for a better chance to deter criminal activity, and they are also used to ensure that people are screened before being hired for government jobs.
Home Cameras
More and more crimes are being caught on home cameras, too, and some police departments have asked homeowners to register them so they can more easily prevent crime. Fremont was one of the early adopters of this concept, with other cities in California following suit. The issue with the public is that they believe this is being done at the expense of their privacy.
Are We Safe?
The government has its ways of monitoring us, and with this list, it becomes clearer what we have in our lives that makes it easier for us to be tracked. Whether it’s your cell phone, your car, or your home appliances, if you don’t want your information potentially released, you’ve got a lot to think about.
