In the World of Surveillance Economy - Events in 2012
In 2012, British national Lee Van Bryan and his friend Emily Bundy headed to Los Angeles with the intention of sightseeing. However, what awaited him at the airport upon arrival was not a pleasant trip, but rather harsh interrogation and deportation. The reason for this was a short statement he posted on Twitter before his trip.
The expression he used to mean "playing up America" was directly translated and considered a serious threat. Joking posts such as "digging up Marilyn Monroe's grave" were also interpreted by the authorities as criminal plots, and were viewed with suspicion. Not even allowed to set foot in the U.S., he and his friends were sent back to England after lengthy and rigorous interrogation.
This incident was symbolic of the danger that a simple word can have unforeseen repercussions. In today's world of heightened surveillance, what we say on Twitter is more than just an expression and can be interpreted differently than intended. His journey ended before it began, but the episode quietly underscores the importance of careful language.
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