Overwatched

Overwatched describes a state of being excessively or unnecessarily observed, monitored, or surveilled. This can apply to individuals, locations, or digital information. It implies a level of observation exceeding what is reasonable or justified, often leading to feelings of discomfort, intrusion, or a stifling of freedom. The excessive nature of the surveillance may be conducted by individuals, organizations, or automated systems, and its purpose could range from security to control, data collection, or even manipulation.

Overwatched meaning with examples

• The constant camera surveillance made the residents feel overwatched. They expressed concerns about their privacy being violated, leading them to become hesitant in engaging with the communal aspects of their building. Many thought the city was going overboard on public security. Some felt that their daily routines were constantly being scrutinized.
• Employees complained that their every keystroke and communication was overwatched by the company's monitoring software. This constant surveillance created a stressful work environment and made them feel less trusted. Consequently, this affected worker performance because of the constant feeling of being watched. The constant monitoring, decreased creativity and productivity.
• In an effort to control access, the borders were so overwatched that legitimate travelers were often delayed. Customs checks became intrusive and time consuming, making it hard for tourism and business to grow. The process was tedious. Many people became annoyed and avoided travelling through that particular border.
• The government's use of facial recognition technology created an overwatched society, with citizens' movements constantly tracked and analyzed. This resulted in political protests and a major outcry for human rights protection. Some citizens found themselves constantly being stopped by law enforcement due to automated alerts.