@matrix @SNEK @matrix Authors write what they know. And as an upstanding bongistani, Rowling wrote the magical british government to mirror the mundane one: a totalitarian surveillance state thats really good at making sure its citizens live in fear and misery at all times but sucks at everything else.
Its a plot point that if a student uses unloicensed magic outside of designated witching zones they'll be immediately caught on CC scrying bowls and have their magic spigot turned off.