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You are merely arguing that it was worth it because you agree with the goal, not that it wasn't despotic or paranoid.

it was neither desponic nor paranoid. Paranoia is an irrational or delusional bout of fear. Thinking the cleaning crew in front of your house is secret agents trying to kidnap you is paranoia, taking measures against a pandemic is not, because the pandemic is real and deadly. In the same vein, despotism is the tyrannical and arbitrary exercise of power, not merely the exercise of power towards legitimate ends.

In fact if anyone is paranoid then it is the public every time the issue of governance and technology converge, because in particular in the US there exists a phobia both to technology as well as government.

taking measures against a pandemic is not, because the pandemic is real and deadly

The existence of a problem does not imply that any measures taken to address it are reasonable. Child pornography is real. Should the government secretly install an app that scans your photos and reports you if it finds anything suspicious?

because in particular in the US there exists a phobia both to technology as well as government

Surreptitiously installing tracking apps is not going to help with that.

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