When the government excessively intervenes in the lives of citizens beyond what is considered necessary or appropriate. It refers to actions that infringe upon individual privacy or limit personal freedoms without justifiable cause.
Related terms
Surveillance: The monitoring of individuals or groups by the government, often involving the collection and analysis of information for security purposes.
Search and seizure: Legal procedures that allow the government to gather evidence by searching private property, usually requiring a warrant based on probable cause.
Patriot Act: Legislation passed after 9/11 that expanded the government's authority to conduct surveillance and gather intelligence in order to prevent terrorist activities.