12 Comments
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Marcie's avatar

Canada is trying to erect just such a system through proposed legislation. If the liberal government gets a majority there won’t be a lot we can do to stop it. I have often wondered if starlink would be helpful to have in terms of freedom. This article is very helpful and hopeful.

Fereydoun's avatar

This is a great article. So much of hard work and extensive research.

As for Iran, Chinese companies often accuse Iranians of buying the first batch of technology and then copy with reverse engineering. In fact they sound reluctant to supply Iran with the top of the art technology. In one instance, I heard that Iran had produced and sold surveillance equipment to other countries.

Synthetic Civilization's avatar

This is really an infrastructure story.

Surveillance states are strongest not when they collect the most data, but when they retain exclusive control over the connectivity environment.

The moment an external transmission layer survives inside the system, omnipresence degrades into contested jurisdiction.

Anita Untersee's avatar

Fabulous work and research distilled into a concise essay. Thankyou for giving us hope and helping us to identify this control even in our own country. RESIST !

Warbling J Turpitude's avatar

Thank you for all of this. Not one word.of it was lost on me..

Nicholas Coulson's avatar

Thank you for writing this up. It deserves to be remembered as a brick in the wall of Iranian freedom (I hope).

Brian Tait's avatar

A great description of a regime center of gravity infused with insights into how China exports its means for (at least) internal information dominance.

Pat D's avatar

Superb post! The predictive algorithms leading to arrests prior to an actual violation realize Philip Dick's "Minority Report",from 1956! Its interesting how Starlink defeated the info/security behemoth.

Scott C. Rowe's avatar

Thanks, this was well done.

Rainbow's avatar

Evil governments that build/help to build a police state are a threat to the entire world.

How many people do you know that are willing to look the other way or to tolerate it?

These despicable people won't stop with just their country. And they'll enslave all of us if given the chance.

Keith.'s avatar

This surveillance is creaping into governments world wide.

Consider a digital payments system, seemingly harmless but has the power to control your every purchase and shut you down if needed.

Great essay, thanks.

Bird's avatar

Not this time, Schlomo. Fight your own wars.