> Why do protesters have an expectation of privacy?
You asked about harm. Expectation of privacy is a different matter. And they might expect privacy due to wearing masks - why is it okay to regulate those, but not facial recognition? While I'm against regulating facial recognition, I'm at least aware of the harm it causes.
> If you're a peaceful protester, it shouldn't matter.
It shouldn't, but it does. If the government and corporations were so perfect that it wouldn't matter, you wouldn't be protesting in the first place.
> I think at least some of these people are secretly upset that people can't break windows and burn cars with impunity.
This is a pure ad hominem, and not a very good one either. The motivations of an imagined 'some' people are irrelevant to the harms of surveillance and facial recognition.
You asked about harm. Expectation of privacy is a different matter. And they might expect privacy due to wearing masks - why is it okay to regulate those, but not facial recognition? While I'm against regulating facial recognition, I'm at least aware of the harm it causes.
> If you're a peaceful protester, it shouldn't matter.
It shouldn't, but it does. If the government and corporations were so perfect that it wouldn't matter, you wouldn't be protesting in the first place.
> I think at least some of these people are secretly upset that people can't break windows and burn cars with impunity.
This is a pure ad hominem, and not a very good one either. The motivations of an imagined 'some' people are irrelevant to the harms of surveillance and facial recognition.