My old dear is convinced that
They read her mail, listen to her phone convos, monitor her use of taxis etc.
This is a hangover from the war when people were encouraged to believe everything they did was scrutinised to keep them in line.
Her reliance on the Mail and Express for information and life skills hasn't helped.
So my brother told her it was illegal to swear on the phone and that people doing it would be cut off. He proceeded to demonstrate by dropping the odd F-bomb and quickly hanging up.
He'd reinforce this by tapping on the handset and saying 'Can you hear the clicks?
They're listening!' and hanging up.
Poor Mother would plead with Bro to remember not to swear in case he drew
Their attention.