UK/Euro Snoopers Charter

[reith]

I've been watching this for a while. Being an advocate of personal freedom, watching it eroded dramatically in recent tines at an accelerating rate, I'm worried. Governments and their agencies are increasingly controlling all of our actions. But I'm more worried about security and errors that government agencies etc can make (there's plenty of evidence that it's already happening. With the upcoming idea of chipped cars and bikes, and increasing dependence on plastic money, it will not be long before the powers will know exactly what you're doing/where you are at every moment of the day.

There's a saying that "if you've nothing to hide you've nothing to worry about." That's today. But tomorrow? A new autocratic regime? Things you needn't hide today might be things you very much want to, tomorrow - by which time it will be too late. Frankly I'll be happy to say goodbye to the UK. The implications are alarming. One sees enforced normality as the inevitable outcome.

Yesterday, discussions began in the UK parliament.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/11...r_uk_snoopers/

[MaestroX]

I nice political discussion!

I agree with your thoughts entirely reith. I think their "if you've nothing to hide you've nothing to worry about" just dosn't cut it with me. Some people like their privacy. I know some people that don't own a mobile (or only use it in emergencies and never give the number out) because they don't like the idea that anyone can ring and annoy thier private business or day to day lives. This is a small example but I think it can show how far this can be stretched. Already if needed authorities can track your phone within quite a good degree of accuracy.

Another well know fact is that the UK has the most CCTV cameras anywhere in the world. Does this stop crime? Of course not

Personally I'm apposed to transferring powers outside the UK. I can't see any great benefit at all and the entire thing seems not in our best interest.

Whats your thoughts on changing UK currency to the Euro instead of Sterling?

[reith]

I fail to see the value in CCTV - as a preventer of crime it's a failure, as a deterrent it's a failure. The local thuggery have simply taken their biz to areas that aren't covered by CCTV! As for this latest idea - loud-speaking CCTV...well, there it is - Big Brother.

It's ironic that Big Brother set up in the UK in 1984, just as Orwell predicted it would. Few people realise because he arrived with a deliberate low profile, courtesy Maggie Thatcher. The important events were computerisation of the Inland Revenue which was the first system to take the NI number as a prime key outside the NI system. More subtle was a white paper agreeing (for the future) "common data standards across all departments". So a very comprehensive picture of individuals could be put together with a bit of SQL.

Having the Euro as a currency?. The problems seem to be more political, tying into the European political system (or mess-up as it seems more like) and the ways we might be pressed into accepting European excise tax (and other financial) rulings. Some benefits are clear - business, as most of our exports go to Europe. Many businesses do their business in Euros (which means the pain of revaluing in sterling every so often - nightly, in the banks). A minus is the size Europe has become and finding ourselves subsidising less wealthy member states to our own detriment.

In balance I think it would be a good idea. It's a big discussion though, clouded by people who think the word "pound" is important, a symbol of Britishness (possibly the last one at that) and blind faith that people like Gordon Brown have valid "economic tests" on which to base a decision. But we traded our feet and inches for metrical, Farenheit for celcius etc etc so what's wrong with taking on a different name for our currency?

[reith]

Well, I took time out this afternoon to tune in to the "A Surveillance Society?" debate chaired by the Data Protection supremo in some back room of parliament.

It's a little frightening. It hinges on this new ID card and using your ID number on just about everything holding personal data.

The debate turned to storing financial activity on individuals and how it would be perfectly possible to capture their card transactions in such a way that a "lifestyle" profile could easily be built. While a few people expressed dread, others were extolling the ability to use this information in criminal investigations. When it came to regulation and abuse penalties, the Information Comissioner admitted that penalties so far have been risible and rarely amounted to an enforcement notice - like, don't do it again! He hoped, however, that safeguards and privacy assessments would be legislated and penalties stiffened up. Huh, so do I!

He also admitted that what the guidelines and legislation stuipulate and what happens in practice were different matters! At least someone made the point that it might be a bit late after the event.

The actual controls on accessing this data - who and how - have yet to be decided. But they look pretty loose at the moment. Judging by the NHS medical recruitment system closed down last week I wouldn't hold out too many hopes about security.

At least we're better off than America where no decent Data Protection framework applies as yet.

One wonders how many will become victims of abuse and mistakes. What redress is there?

[MaestroX]

Funny you bring this up I was discussing the ID card subject with a few friends today and we were all in agreement that its a step in the wrong direction.

Already identity theft is massively high in the UK (Apparently the UK's fastest growing crime) so I don't know how having identity cards will help. Won't it make it easier for someone to steal your identity if all the information is in one place?

I really don't like the idea of authorities being able to build a "lifestyle" profile of me. The very idea is disturbing! All these ideas make me feel as if we are losing our freedom. Freedom to have privacy!