Surveillance grid

"Cars won't drive you, hospitals won't treat you, the automatic door at the grocery store won't slide open for you, and the cashier won't take your money. You don't know what it's like to be off the grid."

- Sophia Bossedon

The Surveillance Grid is used by the CAA to keep track of civilians electronically. Bank accounts and personal identity are kept track of using the grid, removing the need for individual keys. While technically anyone can go offline, they would be at a severe disadvantage because of the numerous features governed by the grid, features such as the privileges to purchase goods or drive private cars, all of which are can only be done while connected to the grid.

Off the Grid
All of Earth's illegal immigrants are off the grid, and are essentially second-class citizens. They must either depend on charity or perform illegal work to make a living. Because they cannot keep electronic accounts, they use other forms of currency such as poker chips or a barter system to make business transactions. Certain businesses are aimed specifically at them, such as the packbus.

Trivia

 * This element of the future recalls the "Big Brother" concept of distopian works like 1984 or A Brave New World, both of which feature surveillance networks similar in concept and purpose to the one described above.