After Mercer finished speaking, Kyoko suddenly realized: "So, the current ctOS System is only running based on the databases and equipment permissions from City Hall and the NCPD databases.
But after running for a while, it might automatically hack into the power system, or even the servers of certain companies?"
"Exactly." Mercer laughed heartily: "The more data it has, the more accurate the analysis and the more things it can control.
Eventually, we can sit at home and, through the intelligence gathered by ctOS, understand every movement in Night City.
Not just understand; if necessary, we can even take over this city, making all connected devices our assets.
Moreover, think about the strength of this intelligence gathering system—from now on, whether they're gang members, politicians, or corporate lackeys, everything they do in Night City will be under our watch…"
Mercer curled his lips, signaling Venus to open the surveillance footage, saying: "Do you know what's even more terrifying? With this ability, we can control certain things happening or not happening in the city from miles away..."
"Look, according to Venus's analysis, there's an 82% chance this speeding car will have an accident at the second intersection, but we only need to adjust the traffic light for two seconds..."
Then, everyone watched as the speeding sports car narrowly brushed past another slightly speeding car, safely making it through the intersection.
The reason it narrowly avoided was that Mercer increased the red light duration by two seconds for the other speeding car at the previous traffic light.
"But speeding like that is too dangerous, so we need to teach him a lesson."
Then, the camera suddenly switched to an NCPD patrol car three blocks away.
Through the control of the traffic lights, this patrol car unknowingly sped up due to a series of green lights, coincidentally arriving at the same intersection as the speeding car.
Generally speaking, the NCPD is too busy to deal with speeding cars, about 30% of them, otherwise, they'd spend all day chasing speeders.
But if you're speeding right in front of them and nearly crash into them—that's another story.
So, everyone watched as the NCPD police car suddenly turned on its lights and accelerated to follow the speeding car.
Eventually, under the blockade of several police cars, the driver of the sports car had to obediently get out and surrender, being pressed against the car by the NCPD, seemingly detained for a few days or facing a hefty fine to be released.
"Do you understand now? Just by controlling the traffic signal for car flows, we can achieve such an effect."
No matter how much Mercer said, nothing was clearer than this demonstration.
At this moment, even Lucy selectively forgot about yesterday's events, with her arms folded in front of her, one hand gently resting on her chin, said: "Hmm... I originally thought you just planned to make an intelligence system."
"Hah, then you underestimate me. My goal is to ultimately control this city from the network, down to every individual's personal devices, their cars, computers, and room access..."
After Mercer finished speaking, Kyoko spoke somewhat troubled: "Aren't we invading ordinary people's privacy?"
"For ordinary people, once their Brain-Computer Interface is online, it automatically uploads their bio-information to the company that manufactured it, and their Prosthetic Eyes have the 'ownership' of all recordings made by them.
Everything in their homes is rented, even their washing machines and TVs, do you think those devices don't record their usage habits or collect their big data?
Even their Super Dream Headbands automatically upload their usage preferences and are sold by the headband company to the Mewtwo production company to adjust production strategy...
In this world, where's the privacy? I'm just doing what other companies are doing and compiling all the information they've collected."
Mercer spoke, but also agreed with Kyoko's view: "However, you're right, I am against such pervasive information invasion, but this is the age we live in. If we don't do it, someone will...
Rather than handing this power over to ill-intentioned individuals, it's better to keep it in my own hands. At least I can ensure, in the event of an accident someday, I can personally destroy and expose it all."
Mercer spoke in a heavy tone: "I left instructions in the core of Venus's server, if anyone attempts unauthorized access or stealing the program, it will automatically destroy the program and damage the server...
I don't want my program to end up like Ultraman's Soulkiller, falling into the hands of big corporations and being used as a tool to oppress the masses."
"Hmm... I think, in some ways, your program is even scarier than Ultraman's Soulkiller."
Qiwei concluded: "Soulkiller going rogue at most kills people online, but if your program goes wrong... it will affect everything connected in the real world."
Lucy also showed concern and warned: "Mercer, you need to keep a close eye on Venus. Bartmos's Rabies virus destroyed the old net, and if your ctOS System and Venus go out of control, it would at least throw Night City into chaos..."