Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After September 11, 2001, the United States dramatically expanded its surveillance powers in an effort to prevent another terrorist attack. The Patriot Act widened federal authority, but the system that followed would eventually extend far beyond the emergency that created it.
Over the next two decades, NSA programs, cell-site simulators, fusion centers, data brokers, license plate readers, facial recognition, and privately owned cameras created an unprecedented ability to collect and connect information. Edward Snowden's 2013 disclosures gave Americans their clearest look yet at how far some of these programs had expanded.
In this episode of Forgotten History, we trace the rise of the modern American surveillance state, from the aftermath of 9/11 and the Patriot Act to PRISM, corporate data collection, Ring cameras, Flock license plate readers, and AI. How did a system built to find terrorists become part of everyday American life?
Written and hosted by Mike Droberg. Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production.
This video is for educational and commentary purposes. All information is presented based on publicly available sources. Allegations, claims, and historical accounts are included for informational context, and viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research.
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About us: Host/Military Historian/Film Consultant/US Army and USMC Veteran - Colin Heaton
historyfilmconsultant.com
Screenwriter/Director/Producer/US Marine Corps Veteran - Michael Droberg
imdb.me/michaeldroberg
10thlegionpictures.com
Email The Forgotten History Team: droknows@hotmail.com
Brand Deal Inquiries: john@smallscreenmarketing.com
Editor: Pablo Kawai
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Associated channel for sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and film related topics:
youtube.com/c/10thLegionPictures
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-COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER UNDER SECTION 107 OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT 1976
- Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #forgottenhistorychannel
After September 11, 2001, the United States dramatically expanded its surveillance powers in an effort to prevent another terrorist attack. The Patriot Act widened federal authority, but the system that followed would eventually extend far beyond the emergency that created it.
Over the next two decades, NSA programs, cell-site simulators, fusion centers, data brokers, license plate readers, facial recognition, and privately owned cameras created an unprecedented ability to collect and connect information. Edward Snowden's 2013 disclosures gave Americans their clearest look yet at how far some of these programs had expanded.
In this episode of Forgotten History, we trace the rise of the modern American surveillance state, from the aftermath of 9/11 and the Patriot Act to PRISM, corporate data collection, Ring cameras, Flock license plate readers, and AI. How did a system built to find terrorists become part of everyday American life?
Written and hosted by Mike Droberg. Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production.
This video is for educational and commentary purposes. All information is presented based on publicly available sources. Allegations, claims, and historical accounts are included for informational context, and viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research.
====================================================================
Help support our channel:
Patreon page: patreon.com/ForgottenHistoryChannel
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCJ5kKhnQUbZmABUeJJvj9aw/join
Now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2OFlwcPz715LyztzXD1Zky
Forgotten History Merchandise:
forgottenhistorychannel-shop.fourthwall.com
====================================================================
Thanks for watching. Please subscribe using the link below so we can continue making new content. Your subscription to the channel means a lot to us! youtube.com/channel/UCJ5kKhnQUbZmABUeJJvj9aw?sub_confirmation=1
====================================================================
About us: Host/Military Historian/Film Consultant/US Army and USMC Veteran - Colin Heaton
historyfilmconsultant.com
Screenwriter/Director/Producer/US Marine Corps Veteran - Michael Droberg
imdb.me/michaeldroberg
10thlegionpictures.com
Email The Forgotten History Team: droknows@hotmail.com
Brand Deal Inquiries: john@smallscreenmarketing.com
Editor: Pablo Kawai
====================================================================
Associated channel for sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and film related topics:
youtube.com/c/10thLegionPictures
====================================================================
-COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER UNDER SECTION 107 OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT 1976
- Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #forgottenhistorychannel
