The government will track whatever is technically or economically feasible. A century ago, they tracked very little because computers and databases didn't exist. Now every corporation willingly compiles terabytes of data that the government can easily subpoena. We'd be much freer if we could convince corporations to not track so much data. If the data doesn't exist, it can't be used by the government. Why does AT&T need a constant record of my phone's location? To sell that info? Maybe there is a market niche for businesses to advertise that they don't track you? Would public pressure have any effect?
If I felt extra cagey about cameras, or the local hardware stores went card-only, I could go to a thrift store or a neighborhood tool swap and see if I could find a used shovel. So far, few or no governments have regulated the private sale of shovels, though they might crack down if they felt politically motivated to "do something about the shovel problem."
The government will track whatever is technically or economically feasible. A century ago, they tracked very little because computers and databases didn't exist. Now every corporation willingly compiles terabytes of data that the government can easily subpoena. We'd be much freer if we could convince corporations to not track so much data. If the data doesn't exist, it can't be used by the government. Why does AT&T need a constant record of my phone's location? To sell that info? Maybe there is a market niche for businesses to advertise that they don't track you? Would public pressure have any effect?
Market pressure for companies to use end-to-end encryption more would help.
If I felt extra cagey about cameras, or the local hardware stores went card-only, I could go to a thrift store or a neighborhood tool swap and see if I could find a used shovel. So far, few or no governments have regulated the private sale of shovels, though they might crack down if they felt politically motivated to "do something about the shovel problem."