From Kansas City to New York, American cities hosting the World Cup have ramped up their surveillance capabilities in anticipation of major events this summer. Security measures are at an all-time high, with attendees at the Fourth of July fireworks and the World Cup final facing strict regulations and hidden camera networks. Privacy advocates warn that such heightened security might not be temporary.

The measures appear to be a response to criticisms of lax security at previous events, like the White House Correspondents' Dinner. While attendees will notice increased airport-style security checkpoints and counter-drone measures, others could be closer to invisible — including biometric tracking cameras. The NSA declaration for these events may also make it easier to collect communications data under looser standards.

The surveillance isn't limited to one-off events; it involves building up a massive apparatus across the country. Through FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security gave $250 million in grants to states hosting World Cup matches, much of which was used for counter-drone equipment. This has led to an airspace closure in El Paso earlier this year.

New York City spent $6.5 million on counter-drone technology, and Kansas City authorities have confiscated at least 16 drones since the World Cup began. The general rule with such events is that local and national police forces use them as a private cash machine, allowing for all manner of securitization processes that often remain after the event.