Surveillance is less about knowing specifics about one person, but broad trends on large groups. How communities respond.
This is why prices are 2.99 not 3 in many parts of the world.
Why we frame it “free delivery or 10% off for pick up” instead of “10% more for delivery.”
Why all commercials are louder than the content they play from.
Why you’re more likely to pay extra for the same item if it’s packaged nicely.
These are the data points of value to capitalism. And this is why mass surveillance is so dangerous. Because it arms those willing to exploit us with vast amounts of information, most of it unobtainable without the invasion of privacy. It’s these data that makes things like V for Vendetta possible (given the right timing).
Espionage (foreign and domestic) are the byproducts of the Information Age.