New federal surveillance meant to combat cartels and drug traffickers is far more likely to hit everyone else, and to be largely ineffective in fighting crime.
More than 1 million Californians and Texans are about to face a new level of financial surveillance from the federal government. Although cash transactions over $10,000 have long been reported under current law, now many transactions of as little as $200 will have to be reported in 30 ZIP Codes along the border with Mexico. Financial surveillance in the United States has needed reform, but this policy marks little more than another intrusion into the lives of Americans.
And in addition to friend and family getting on watchlists, this also means that a LOT of businesses are going to start keeping a lot of cash around if they want to keep prices down.
I don't think that phrase really works universally. The original line from the Incredibles makes sense because "super" is a relative term. If we're all on a watchlist that doesn't mean we're not actually being watched or not in danger, it just means we stopped distinguishing levels of suspicion or "saving resources" for the most dangerous people. Think they don't have the resources to watch everyone? That's what AI is for.
Also unfortunately, a LOT of people are treated as if they’re on a watchlist, even when they aren’t.
If everyone is on a watchlist, that means everyone is being watched so they can be punished if they do anything that could even be remotely considered outside the law.
Pulled over for speeding and you’re on a watchlist? Off to interrogation for you.
Do you put a $200 grocery bill/ restaurant tab on your bank card? Congratulations, Uncle Sam is now demanding that your bank report that spending to them.