Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance in America, 1862-1920

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The book explores the history of surveillance in America, tracing its origins back to the Civil War and the early use of telegraph tapping. It highlights the expansion of wiretapping practices, particularly after the introduction of the dictograph in 1910, which made electronic surveillance accessible to a wider range of users, including politicians and corporations. The narrative connects these historical developments to the modern reality of pervasive surveillance, as revealed by Edward Snowden, illustrating the evolution of privacy invasion and the emergence of a "Big Brother" society.