big brother

George Orwell Predicted Our Current Dystopia

Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch Aug 19, 2019 In the real-life version of the dystopian novel "1984" we seem to be caught in, Trump is our very own idiosyncratic version of Big Brother. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

How I Learned Not to Love Big Brother

Alfred McCoy Aug 26, 2017 Some of the darkest secrets of the U.S. national security establishment are exposed in the upcoming book "In the Shadows of the American Century." Dig deeper ( 17 Min. Read )

‘Lear,’ Not ‘1984,’ Defines the Trump Era

By Ron Charles Jun 10, 2017 The best literary precedent for what we're enduring now is not the absolute order of Big Brother but the irrational eruptions of King Lear. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Wikimedia Scores ‘Important Victory’ in the Fight Against NSA Surveillance

By Nadia Prupis / Common Dreams May 24, 2017 On Tuesday, a federal appeals court found that the Wikimedia Foundation had standing to argue that the National Security Agency was violating its First and Fourth Amendment rights by spying on its users' communications. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Do the FBI and Department of Justice Want a Photo of Every American?

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Apr 2, 2017 A recent hearing by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reviewed law enforcement use of facial recognition technology and got some troubling information. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Will Donald Trump Make ‘1984’ Seem Like a Nursery Tale?

By Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch Dec 26, 2016 I suspect we're about to have the screw-you presidency of all time, far surpassing George Orwell's vision. And believe me, that will prove to be dystopian beyond compare -- or do I mean beyond despair? Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

Secret Cameras Are Recording Baltimore’s Every Move — From the Sky

Staff / Truthdig Aug 24, 2016 Since the start of 2016, the Baltimore Police Department has been using a privately funded and operated surveillance company to investigate crimes via a camera-equipped airplane -- without informing the public.Since the start of 2016, the Baltimore Police Department has been using a privately funded and operated surveillance company to investigate crimes via a camera-equipped airplane—without informing the public. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

U.K. Police ‘to Be Given Powers to View Everyone’s Entire Internet History’

Roisin Davis / Truthdig Oct 30, 2015 The power will reportedly be included in the British government's new surveillance bill, to be published next week. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Fitbits for Bosses: The Future of Workplace Surveillance

Staff / Truthdig Sep 18, 2015 If the thought of hidden cameras in the office and employee activity-monitoring software weren't dystopian enough, digital Big Brother is now expanding into the world of workplace biosurveillance. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )