Dragnet Nation

by Julia Angwin
Dragnet Nation cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Investigative Journalism
Technical
  • ID: 2696
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780805098075
  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Published: 2014-02-25
  • Reviews: 3

In Dragnet Nation, investigative journalist Julia Angwin takes readers on a journey through the hidden world of data collection. She explores how various entities indiscriminately sweep up vast amounts of personal data, often without our knowledge or consent. Angwin's own experiments to protect her privacy highlight the challenges and complexities of navigating this digital landscape. /n/n The book delves into the ethical implications of mass surveillance and the erosion of privacy in the digital age. Angwin's findings are both eye-opening and unsettling, prompting readers to reconsider their own digital footprints and the ways in which technology is reshaping our lives.

Reviews
The View from the Blue House · 2015-10-01
engaging 3.50

The book is an interesting read that highlights the extent of surveillance but is thin on practical solutions.

The reviewer finds the book engaging and informative, particularly in its exploration of how pervasive surveillance has become. However, they feel it lacks depth in proposing practical solutions to the issues it raises. The reviewer appreciates the author's personal experiments with privacy tools but wishes there was more discussion on how to effectively navigate the surveillance landscape. Overall, it's a good starting point for understanding the challenges of privacy in the digital age.

Quick quotes

    Overall, an interesting read that highlights the extent of the present dragnet and the difficulty of avoiding it, but a little thin on how the average person can protect themselves.

    Angwin's personal journey to protect her privacy is fascinating but sometimes feels like a sidebar to the larger issues at hand.

    The book does a good job of making the complex topic of surveillance accessible to a general audience.

LibrarianShipwreck · 2014-03-31
informative 3.00

The book provides a thorough exploration of surveillance, though it lacks a deeper political critique. Some sections are unintentionally amusing due to this oversight.

The reviewer appreciates the book's comprehensive look at the surveillance economy but feels it misses a stronger political critique. They find certain sections amusing due to this lack of depth. Overall, it's an informative read that highlights the pervasive nature of surveillance but leaves some important questions unanswered. The reviewer suggests that a more grounded critique in political economy would have strengthened the book's arguments.

Quick quotes

    At a few points in Dragnet Nation the lack of a stronger critique grounded in political economy emerges with somewhat unintentionally amusing effect.

    The book does a good job of highlighting the extent of surveillance but falls short in providing actionable solutions.

    Angwin's personal experiments with privacy tools are intriguing but sometimes feel disconnected from the broader issues.

Los Angeles Times · 2014-03-06
thought-provoking 4.00

The book effectively illuminates the costs of living under constant surveillance, making a compelling case for privacy awareness.

The reviewer praises Angwin's ability to shed light on the hidden systems that track our every move. They find the book to be a wake-up call about the costs of living in a surveillance society. The reviewer appreciates the author's efforts to raise awareness about privacy issues and the importance of taking control of our personal data. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that encourages readers to think critically about their digital footprint.

Quick quotes

    Angwin's book aims to illuminate the costs of living with systems that track nearly everything we do, think or say.

    It's a wake-up call for anyone who has ever wondered about the extent of surveillance in our daily lives.

    The book provides a compelling case for why we should all be more aware of our privacy settings and the data we share.

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