In this case the clue is the word fingerprinting. If someone outside your door was taking fingerprint impressions, your name, and then writing down your license plate and selling that info to anyone with money - would you just let that continue? Unlikely.

In the real world they can't physically touch you so let's replace that with passive facial recognition. In that case, yes they can do that all today. Someone can follow you all day from the moment you step out into public.

We might not like it but it is legal and they own their observations.

Wut. Stalking is literally a criminal offense.

You should look up the legal definition of stalking. Making public observations isn't it.

Stalking: https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/stalking-and-harassmen...

> Whilst there is no strict legal definition of 'stalking', section 2A (3) of the PHA 1997 sets out examples of acts or omissions which, in particular circumstances, are ones associated with stalking. For example, following a person, watching or spying on them or forcing contact with the victim through any means, including social media.

--begin here--

Definition of stalking

Stalking is not legally defined but section 2A (3) of the PHA 1997 lists a number of examples of behaviours associated with stalking. The list is not an exhaustive one but gives an indication of the types of behaviour that may be displayed in a stalking offence. The listed behaviours are:

    (a) following a person,
    (b) contacting, or attempting to contact, a person by any means,
    (c) publishing any statement or other material relating or purporting to relate to a person, or purporting to originate from a person,
    (d) monitoring the use by a person of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication,
    (e) loitering in any place (whether public or private),
    (f) interfering with any property in the possession of a person,
    (g) watching or spying on a person.

--end here--

I mean, that's pretty clear.

For two reasons.

First, most of this sort of spying involves using my own equipment as a weapon against me -- and actively subvert my defenses in order to do it. This is, in my view, not much different than them breaking into my home and installing surveillance equipment.

Second, the data gathered about me (even if it doesn't involve subverting my own equipment) is not kept in isolation. It is combined with a lot of other data about me and then mined for further insights. Every little data gathering act may be insignificant in isolation, but the end result is a degree of surveillance that is deeply immoral if done without my consent.