this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2026
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Louis Rossman talked about this potential in consumer routers via ISP data collection a few months ago. I mean, there are feasible measures to disrupt the accuracy of this surveillance method in the same way there is for any. But, even if the new standard implements protections against use cases of human surveillance, there's no real way to prevent authoritarian states from applying the technology illegally or otherwise. Doesn't help that corporations with a vested interest in both data collection and compliance with authoritarian states also have tremendous influence on the kind of people who are in the IEEE.
I'm tellin ya, people have to bully STEM majors who cooperate like they should ICE agents who (enthusiastically) cooperate.
Yeah we really need to socially shun people willing to work for these companies. If you tell me you work for flock or amazon or google or meta you will just get an "eww" from me.
I knew someone who voluntarily went to work for Facebook a few years ago. I don't talk to them anymore. Last I heard from a mutual is that they got laid off, and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving schmuck.
I have someone in my extended family that also does. They are a special kind of weird people. The ultimate bootlickers.
Yeah I've had interactions like that as well. Another issue is a lot of this work is done through contracts with third-party developers too. I've met people who could say the name of the company they work for and you'd have to dig to find out they develop software for US military tank systems, so it is also easy for them to obscure their work if they understand people will challenge their participation in it.
I made the same mistake (of not realizing) a few years ago. But when i found out i quit as soon as i got some certification that got me started elsewhere.
As someone who lives in Silicon Valley (and is currently pursuing an EE degree), you either work for those companies, the military-industrial complex, or a startup about to be acquired by the tech giants, otherwise you are left behind economically and are unable to own a home or live without debt acquisition.
I'm still in college, I really don't like the idea of working for these places, but it may not be much of a choice once I graduate. At least if I want to live where I grew up and make full use of my engineering degree.
Then don't. Build a syndicate with college peers. Heck, found one as a Master’s program.
Maybe the place you live is shit then?
We don't need you. Hell, you don't even need yourself.
You're literally working towards a future where machines replace humans.
Thanks for your help fucking up the cause of humans being humans.
Hey, buddy? Fuck you and your economic goals. There is a very real choice here between being part of the problem and part of the solution. I can't make it for you, but would really like to disabuse you of the notion there's "not much of a choice". Build a comfortable life at the rest of the world's expense, sacrifice your opportunities for our collective wellbeing, self-immolate in protest, whatever you choose it's an impactful decision and you're the one making it. Good luck! Have fun! You matter, and selling the rest of us out is a dick move.