On the topic of cameras and loss of privacy, I currently live in one of the most heavily observed cities and countries in the world. There are cameras almost everywhere here, on lamp posts, walls, in the metro, cabbie dashcams, etc.
This is also, by far, the safest city I've ever lived in. In terms of petty crime and personal violence Taipei is way, way, wayyyyyyy safer than Calgary. I've been at parties and young women are more than happy to walk home, alone, at night, for like 30 blocks. There are cultural factors at play here, theft is considered hugely humiliating to have to participate in, organized crime is entrenched and powerful removing opportunities for petty criminals. However the fact that every single act is on camera absolute contributes to public safety.
On the other hand, no one I know here feels it is an impingement on liberty. In fact, liberty has been steadily increasing in Taiwan over the last 30 years as the country moves away from being a military dictatorship at the same time that public surveillance has been increasing.
I totally understand the knee-jerk "I don't want to be on camera" reaction, but having lived it, it really really makes no difference at all in your daily life.
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