Whenever I see threads and comments about privacy-related or sensitive topics, I often see concerns about China in particular stealing all that data.

Why is China, a country across a vast ocean, is seen as a bigger threat in that regard than US itself? Unlike Chinese, the local government does have power over its residents and can actually use this information against you (and it does have a record for doing exactly that). The only places where Chinese espionage would be a concern (military, high-tech industry) lay way beyond what an everyday American faces regularly.

So, is it a new red scare, or is there a substance behind it that I fail to see?

  • zxqwas@lemmy.world
    191·
    3 months ago

    We’ve had our spray nozzle copied by the Chinese. Industrial espionage is not just high tech.

    Chinese espionage does not benefit you in any way. The preferred amount for citizens and governments would be zero.

    Domestic spying surveillance (can be argued) prevent/catch crimes. So some level of surveillance the benefit of less crime is worth the intrusion to the average citizen.

    • Allero@lemmy.todayOP
      212·
      3 months ago

      For citizens, there are other factors at play. For example, Chinese companies stealing American technologies could lead to the former being able to produce something for cheap, which, if tariffs wouldn’t get involved, will allow an everyday person to have a better bargain.

      • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        17·
        3 months ago

        Chinese companies stealing American technologies could lead to the former being able to produce something for cheap, which, … will allow an everyday person to have a better bargain.

        While the company that originally created the product will collapse, putting people out of work and weakening the American economy.

        That’s basically what the globalization movement from the 1980s and 90s was. Jobs may move overseas, but think of the cheap shit you can buy!The hollowing out of Western economies has led to the political moment we’re in now.

        • Allero@lemmy.todayOP
          12·
          3 months ago

          Do I?

          Of course I am aware that moving industry abroad has the potential to reduce the amount of local jobs and taxes, while also shifting the trade balance between the countries.

          But, as things stand, the only thing keeping many American industries afloat is protectionist policies, which gradually degrade industry’s ability to be price-competitive even further. This is not sustainable, and there should be other approaches - otherwise, the American economy is a slow bomb.

          And for all that circus, a regular American has to pay. A lot. In some industries, this literally leads to goods being sold for twice or more of their actual worth.