Coronavirus and Government Surveillance

At 4:55am I received a text message. From the Government of Canada. Advising me to register online to ensure that the Government of Canada can contact me.

This was the text message:

Not a surprise that governments can ask their telecomm companies to direct text messages to Canadians travelling outside the country as this message did not go out to all Canadians.

Only to those Canadians outside the country.

The degree of government intervention into our lives over the past few weeks has been breathtaking. Suspension of civil liberties, which I expect will come soon enough, would be a concerning development. Tracking citizen movements is another concerning development.

Then again my government is likely just trying to be helpful.

Although I am wondering why they want to contact me.

I am here. Give me a call. You already have my number.