Welcome to the Surveillance Economy

Technology keeps getting smarter, but it also keeps getting creepier. In this episode of Between the States, Dan, Noel, and Jared examine four technologies that could change how we are watched, hired, and charged for everyday purchases. The conversation begins with Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers, including how law enforcement uses them, the potential benefits of locating missing people, and the serious privacy concerns created by widespread surveillance. The hosts then explore electronic shelf labels, personalized pricing, and the possibility of stores changing prices while customers are still shopping. They also discuss AI hiring tools, automated applicant scores, discrimination allegations, résumé screening, and why qualified job seekers may never reach a human interviewer. Finally, they consider Meta smart glasses, hidden recording, AI training data, and whether augmented reality could make the privacy tradeoff worthwhile. Along the way, the guys also find time for spilled maple syrup, a motorcycle trip through New England, polo confusion, beer-free river tubing, and the surprisingly important question: What would Jared do? Send us Fan Mail Support the show Episodes available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetweenTheStates Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Between-The-States/61574045351917/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthestatespod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betweenthestates BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/betweenthestates.bsky.social Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BetweenTheStates/ Comments, questions, or suggestions can be sent to: [email protected] Best way to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/BetweentheStates