Yeah, and Orwell fucking aced it, sad as that is. He’d be rolling in his grave to know the only prediction that hasn’t come true is that creepy vaguely nazi-esque logo from the 1984 movie they actually made IRL that year, which I don’t think he had a had in designing?
Unfortunately, dystopia comes in many, many forms and no one forsaw internet dragnets or that smartphones, unlike “telescreens”, would be too useful to not have and too universal to not use.
That and I’m sure they would if they thought they could get away with it but know they can’t. Saying approval is needed means you’re not just admitting you’re spying on your own people, but that you do not think they have a right to privacy in the first place.