Julia Angwin and Ami Fields-Meyer: Technology, Surveillance, and the Future of Democratic Dissent
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from June 3, 2026 | Courage in the Age of Fear. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Julia Angwin, whose work focuses on technology, privacy, and surveillance, joined public policy expert and Harvard Kennedy School senior fellow Ami Fields-Meyer to examine how technology is reshaping civic activism and democratic participation. Drawing from interviews with dissidents around the world, the discussion explored how surveillance, fear, and information have transformed both authoritarianism and the ways citizens respond.
A New Era of Authoritarianism
According to Fields-Meyer and Angwin, modern authoritarianism often looks very different from the dictatorships of the past. Rather than arriving through violent coups, today’s governments may consolidate power gradually while maintaining the appearance of democratic institutions.
The authors explained that one of the defining characteristics of this new environment is the unprecedented ability to monitor communications, collect personal information, and influence public behavior through technology. These capabilities can create an atmosphere where people begin censoring themselves long before any direct government action occurs.
The Battle for Public Narrative
While surveillance is an important concern, Angwin argued that today’s political conflicts are ultimately battles over public narratives.
Authoritarian governments frequently seek to intimidate journalists, academics, civic organizations, and other influential voices—not necessarily to silence everyone, but to create enough fear that others hesitate to speak. Fields-Meyer described this as a strategy of selective repression, where highly visible examples encourage widespread self-censorship.
The conversation emphasized that maintaining truthful public dialogue remains one of the most important forms of democratic resilience.
Technology Helps, but People Matter More
As a longtime investigative reporter covering technology, Angwin acknowledged the importance of practical digital security measures such as encrypted messaging, strong passwords, and thoughtful online behavior. However, one of the biggest surprises from the authors’ research was that technical tools alone are never enough.
Again and again, people told them that their greatest protection came from trusted relationships. Whether through neighbors, legal support networks, faith communities, or civic organizations, strong personal connections consistently proved more valuable than any technological safeguard.
Building Resilient Communities
Rather than ending with fear, Fields-Meyer encouraged people to find what he described as a “political home”—a community of individuals who regularly gather, support one another, and work toward shared civic goals.
For Angwin, even seemingly simple acts such as getting to know neighbors, building local networks, or documenting events can strengthen democratic resilience. Their research suggests that lasting civic engagement begins not with grand gestures, but with people choosing to work together in their own communities.
Together, their message was clear: while technology has changed the landscape of democratic participation, the enduring foundations of civic resilience remain trust, community, and a shared commitment to truth.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.