Jennifer Granick: How the US government spies on people who protest -- including you

How the US government spies on people who protest -- including you

What's stopping the American government from recording your phone calls, reading your emails and monitoring your location? Very little, says surveillance and cybersecurity counsel Jennifer Granick. The government collects all kinds of information about you easily, cheaply and without a warrant -- and if you've ever participated in a protest or attended a gun show, you're likely a person of interest. Learn more about your rights, your risks and how to protect yourself in the golden age of surveillance.

Modern technology has made it easier than ever for the government to gather vast, sensitive data on ordinary people, often without a warrant. More than half of American adults now have their faceprint in a government database, and police departments track millions of cars with license plate scanners. Surveillance has a long history of abuse, including targeting civil rights leaders, and current laws often lag behind technology. Reform, transparency, and personal action are urgently needed as digital activism grows.