Dragnet Nation: A Quest For Privacy, Security, And Freedom In A World Of Relentless Surveillance (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Yes, I'm fully aware of the irony inherent in posting a public review of a book about the quest for digital privacy.Angwin's narrative of her quest to escape the dragnet of surveillance is an interesting one. The ultimate gist of her experience? If someone really wants to spy on you, they're going to do so . . . but so much of what's being done right now is lazy fishing, scooping up unprotected information that's just floating around out there.Angwin goes much, much further than the average person who isn't a journalist or whistle blower would ever need to attempt. Still, she advocates common sense approaches to online privacy that are worth one's consideration, even if you don't try to implement them.As with the Snowden book I read several months ago, I continue to be optimistic about the fact that this topic is still in the cultural consciousness. In my opinion, that's a very good thing. Not bad, but I would have liked more practical information. However, the author's frustrations mirror my own, and doubtless those of many others. Cryptography and ways to remain more anonymous online are far from user-friendly, and largely pointless. The only answer to dragnet surveillance is to go off the grid, but for most people in modern society, that is not a realistic option. Scary, but the book offers no hope.
What do You think about Dragnet Nation: A Quest For Privacy, Security, And Freedom In A World Of Relentless Surveillance (2014)?
This book was astonishing. I was a bit traumatized ..and surely that's a sign of a great read.
—janedoe
The topic can be a bit overwhelming and daunting but it is so worth delving in to!
—raezel
No way to escape being watched......everywhere.
—u2ello
