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Comprehensive Quote by Glenn Greenwald

“To permit surveillance to take root on the Internet would mean subjecting virtually all forms of human interaction, planning, and even thought itself to comprehensive state examination.” quote by Glenn Greenwald
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“To permit surveillance to take root on the Internet would mean subjecting virtually all forms of human interaction, planning, and even thought itself to comprehensive state examination.”

Glenn Greenwald

About This Quote

Source Essay: Surveillance and Freedom, 2015

The quote warns that allowing pervasive online monitoring would turn all human activity, even thoughts, into data for the state.

In simple terms: Online surveillance would expose everything to the state.

Key Takeaway

Protect privacy now.

Themes

privacy surveillance freedom technology state power

Mood

concerned critical

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Policy debate
  • privacy advocacy
  • legal reform

Key Concepts

Mass data collection digital rights civil liberties

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is total surveillance inevitable?
  • What safeguards can protect thought?
A Different Perspective

Surveillance can be limited by law and tech safeguards.

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