Surveillence state: time to opt out

We see it more and more: real ID, the use of biometric facial recognition apps by DHS, USGS, etc., the demand to constantly not just prove our identity, but let various entities use biometric methods to identify us. Those organizations include banks, motels and hotels, airlines, our own employers, and of course, government agencies of all types. It is reported that ICE has more than 200 million individual Americans and immigrants in their databases, used in the field to identify immigrants and others.

At the same time, surveillance cameras are popping up in more and more locations in virtually every community in the States. Traffic cameras can often actually record the operator and other passengers, not just license plates on vehicles. Walking in and out of banks, credit unions, courthouses, even supermarkets and convenience stores, take pictures. And if you use a credit card, debit card, provide ID to a security guard, or enter your “frequent-buyer” number or card, the images of your face can be linked to “your papers.” And no “bitte” or “please” is needed.

The United Kingdom, and presumably many other nations – not just the evil Chinese or Russian – are far in advance of the States in watching every move of their residents and visitors, not just in sensitive and downtown areas, streets and highways, but parks, neighborhoods, and rural locations. New systems, new software, and the use of AI lets older cameras obtain and provide more and more information.

PC Magazine recently published a story about whether it is possible to avoid face-scanning. Or even say no when someone demands it. (Assuming that they even tell you they are doing it.)

Of course, we also have to worry about those cameras on our laptops or desktop computer monitors. And especially on our phones. (Hopefully, even those of us who hate selfies realize that our smartphones have cameras under that glass screen!)

And these days, even the cameras in and on our automobiles. Including those that we use to back up more safely. The same scanning can be and is being done by Ring, Viass, or dozens of other cameras on our front doors, watching our back doors, and more. Apps and databases exist (via Google and the cellular phone providers) that take pictures from our phones or even stand-alone digital cameras and add them to the massive databases.

Satellite systems, including EROS (Earth Resources and Observation) Center in South Dakota (a federal agency), and many military systems, are able not just to read license plates off cars and trucks, but also record faces. And what you may be carrying!

It is often stated that AI and recent developments and contracts between government agencies and private or public companies have created a potential for mass surveillance in the near future.

And although governments are the major entities to fear, any big business or even a small local firm that has access to those records can use them to track us, market to us, or report us. And more often than not, fine us and get warrants and orders to arrest us. Or others.

We submit that “mass surveillance” is not a matter of may or even gonna happen. It is presently a real thing, and indeed, an existing threat to our liberty.

The PC Mag article is not particularly optimistic about the situation. Perhaps, they write, if we had pushed back against these things back before COVID, or even earlier, we might not see this situation now. At the same time, there are some suggestions that might reduce the risks we face from this surveillance.

Gaining knowledge is critical. Not just about the presence and use of cameras, but what is done with the images and other data as well. (Examples: who it is provided to (first- and second-hand), how it can be used to track purchases and movements, and whom we have contact with.) Knowing how they work and how to avoid and disable them is also important. For example, the QR code or magnetic strip on many cards (such as driver’s licenses) allows linking to online databases, both for getting information about us and for providing info about us to others.

Opting out, whenever that opportunity is available, is also an important action. For example, virtually every city or county and big chains require that the hotel or motel clerk not just see our ID but actually scan it. The modern Real ID driver’s licenses are just what is needed to allow face scanning and facial recognition. More and more goes into centralized databases. But it is often possible to demand that the clerk only record (by hand) the info, not scan or photograph a card.

There is no doubt other things we need to know or do to protect ourselves from the growing surveillance state and the threats to our lives and liberties (to say nothing of our property!).

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Source: https://freedombunker.com/2026/03/03/surveillence-state-time-to-opt-out/