I read 1984 in one night when I was in college. It resonated with me so much at the time.
But as always the problem is to find the balance between too much and not enough surveillance.
Of course surveillance can be used for sinister purposes in countries where governments try to keep a tight grip on the population.
However no surveillance at all is also a haven for criminality and makes it very hard to find culprits.
I don't agree that it is a case of surveillance being all evil but it needs to operate within the framework of proper democratic values and human rights.
A difficult balance.
We could use technology in our own neighborhoods, and allow access when there is a crime. That way we can verify claims of violence, and allow privacy to be maintained.