While this is true, I think there are arguments for and against your statement. While some areas of the UK are unquestionably far more monitored than their US counterparts, geographical size definitely comes into play. It's easier to monitor the UK because it is a tiny fraction of the size of the US and, therefore, will cost a fraction of the price. Our police also aren't quite as heavily militarized as the US (Thanks to US Military selling surplus to PDs for steep discounts and weird gun laws), we just have two huge water cannons on standby, I predict them being authorized in the next year or two though. Maybe it's just misplaced nationalism and my consumption of fairly left-leaning media that leaves me with the impression that the US is #1 for that stuff, I dunno. I think we're pretty evenly pegged on the totalitarian state front.