I am a subscriber to Reason magazine and have been since 2020. In the June issue is a review of this book. I am concerned about internet privacy so the review piqued my interest and I immediately requested a copy from my library.
This book outlines the history and growth of cooperation between technology companies and the government. The essential premise is that various levels of government are purchasing personal data of cell phones and the internet from tech companies. The level of privacy on this data would require a warrant if it was being requested directly from individuals. But because it is considered “digital exhaust” and therefore a product, governments can simply purchase it with no public oversight. This is deeply concerning to the author, a concern I share.
If you are wondering why we don’t have any federal laws that protect our digital privacy, this is why. Doing so would cut off their way around the Constitution, requiring them to have warrants to collect such data. Mass surveillance would become impossible because it would be illegal. The author has done extensive research into how this all came into being, who are the players, the whys and the hows. There is even an appendix written in plain English for things you can do to protect your own personal privacy while online. It is essential reading in our modern digital age.
My rating: 5/5
