Amsyar: How far should a state have a right to monitor the actions of people within its borders?

Firstly, within its borders, a government does have a right to monitor the actions of their people. It could be said that the government has to monitor the actions of their people because it is the most effective way for them to try and improve the nation's situation. For example, the local telcom company, Singtel, has recently been accused for keeping all information about their clients and consumers, which is said to be against normal regulations. However, the government allegedly allowed it, so that they can keep a look out for suspicious individuals. This is a matter of national security, hence the government has every right to monitor the actions of their people so as to achieve security for them as well. However, it is not applicable when the government infringes on their people's personal rights and choice. When the government infringes on an individual's personal choice, it leads the individual to believe that the government does not trust him, and that the government is implying that they know what is better for the individual, rather than the individual himself. This in turn could lead to very serious consequences for the government and the nation as a whole. If more and more people feel the same way, it could lead to violent protests against the government and destabilise the entire nation. Therefore, i believe that the state should have the right to monitor the actions of the people within its borders, as long as it does not infringe on the people's own personal choices.