The Bureau of Digital Sabotage
The breath you feel on the back of your neck belongs to Big Brother. The era of privacy is over after whistleblower Edward Snowden’s chilling revelations. The Bureau of Digital Disruption examines this new reality and provides commentary on how we can regain our sense of empowerment in the modern digital age.
Government agencies, large corporations or the highest bidder can easily track and analyze your digital footprint. Text messages, emails, phone calls, and social media activity leave everyone vulnerable to exposure. The smartphone’s camera can be activated remotely. Your buying habits can be viewed and interpreted through advertising interests. With just a few keystrokes, powerful characters can watch and predict your every move. It’s the cautionary tale of science fiction decades ago that’s only now becoming the norm.
As radical terrorist attacks continue to sweep the globe, society is battling growing paranoia. In this turbulent and uncertain environment, we are increasingly accepting these invasions of privacy. Some might even think they are obeying a patriotic duty.
Now that spying tools are cheaper than ever, the amount of personal information available to national security agencies is limitless. Good intentions can quickly turn into unnecessary mass surveillance. If a law-abiding citizen chooses to stay off the grid, he may arouse even greater suspicion.
That’s how it started. What may seem harmless at first glance can quickly turn into something more shameful and harmful. Our data can be sold, and our every action can become part of a global algorithm. Democracy begins to crumble when our every move is monitored and ultimately dictated by external interests.
Too much conversation focuses on the extent of the breach that the public should accept. Many of the experts featured in the film say our rights as citizens and consumers should be our first concern in this brave new world of digital technology.
The Bureau of Digital Disruption is a well-crafted and cleverly structured debate on these critical issues.
Directed by: Marije Meerman
