The UK is advancing "precrime" systems, aggregating data to predict and prevent violence, alongside expanded surveillance and dissent management tools, echoing dystopian sci-fi like "Minority Report" and "1984." Critics warn of eroded civil liberties, biases, and a slide toward authoritarian control. Vigilance is essential to balance security with freedom.
In 2025, internet censorship impacted 4.6 billion people worldwide, escalating through shutdowns, content blocks, and VPN bans in regions like the Middle East and South Asia amid political unrest. This surge disrupts economies, rights, and innovation, with experts warning of intensified restrictions and AI threats in 2026.
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