Software & Systems · Story 9

Quote of the day by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison: "Citizens will be on their best behavior, because we’re constantly recording and reporting everything that is going on" — a dire warning on the erosion of privacy

Larry Ellison
Image via r/technology

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison stated that citizens will be on their best behavior because everything is constantly recorded and reported. The TechRadar article characterizes this as a dire warning on the erosion of privacy and a vision for an increasingly aggressive surveillance state.

Ellison's remarks reflect a growing push by tech billionaires toward pervasive surveillance that could reshape the relationship between citizens and the state. The quote has sparked widespread debate about the implications for civil liberties and dissent.

Key details

  • Larry Ellison said citizens will be on their best behavior because we are constantly recording and reporting everything that is going on.
  • TechRadar describes the quote as a dire warning on the erosion of privacy.
  • TechRadar characterizes Ellison's vision as an increasingly aggressive surveillance state in the 21st century.
  • The Reddit discussion has over 26,000 upvotes and 1,567 comments as of the publication date.

Discussion angles

  • Many commenters argue that billionaire behavior, not ordinary citizens, is what truly needs surveillance.
  • Some interpret 'best behavior' as a threat to suppress dissent and target minority groups, not just prevent crime.
  • Several commenters point out that Ellison's quote was made last year and did not receive sufficient attention at the time.
  • A number of commenters express outright anger and rejection of the surveillance vision.

Top comments

Commenters overwhelmingly reject Ellison's vision, viewing it as a threat to free expression and a tool for protecting the powerful. Many express anger and call for accountability for billionaires rather than increased surveillance of ordinary people.

I won't be on my best behavior for long, bucko. Billionaire behavior is the behavior we need watched.
u/WloveW · 4,845 score
I hope people realize by "best behavior" he doesn't mean not committing crimes, he means not speaking out against his technofascist ilk or the US govt they've propelled into office, with a side of not being a part of the scapegoated minority group du jour
u/ivecompletelylostit · 2,685 score
Fuck you, larry.
u/kombatunit · 909 score
Yeah this was said last year iirc and didnt get the attention it deserves as all the billionaires are pushing hard for this as they benefit in their businesses and personal lives as they are above the law already and this keeps their businesses safer with a...
u/kstargate-425 · 400 score
NOBODY WANTS THIS
u/beigechrist · 179 score