“Once something is in the public domain anyone can use it to “spy” on anyone else.”
Actually, no. Even in an audit [to verify tax information without suspecting a crime such as fraud], the IRS has to ask the taxpayer for the information pertaining to the audit, and if not forthcoming from the taxpayer they have to tell the taxpayer that they will subpeona documents from elsewhere, and what they are subpoening and from whom. They are not permitted to just collect information about a person.
The feds of any stripe do NOT have the right to build a file or spy upon a citizen where there is no authorized investigation of a crime.
I know, just say’in because it is so easy to spy on people now.
Also we are paying their salaries. If you spy on your neighbor using facebook and google map, you are doing it on your own time. Do you want to pay people to pry into your life? I don’t.
Facebook and Google Maps can also be used by the private sector to verify information and identify possible fraud indicators. Facebook is particularly helpful on developing useful intel on pop,e that aren’t so nice either. The blade cuts both ways.