Privacy and Surveillance

[Gromit]

Government plans to record all your phone calls, texts and emails on a database are under discussion.

They say it might help prevent another 7/7 type terrorist attack.

If you have nothing to hide, then it is a price worth paying to stop future atrocities and terrorist attacks?

Or is our privacy more important?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/pol itics/lawandorder/2302375/%27Big-Brother%27-da tabase-of-all-phone-calls-and-emails-condemned -by-watchdog.html

[squarebear]

Good idea. I've nothing to hide and if it helps stop something similar then I'm all for it.

[buildersmate]

There are some that would maintain that this happens anyway now with all communications data that is put across the air - but on a real-time search basis.
The difference with this news story is that such data would be dropped into a massive database for a period of time for future (retrospective) interrogation?

[Oneeyedvic]

squarebear.

Think about the governments data handling record. Laptops being left on trains, bank details on CDs being sent normal post, etc etc.

Would you like it if I knew where you lived, how old you were, the schools that your kids went to, how much money you have in your bank account, what you last purchased at tescos etc etc?

How about, which websites you surf, what books you got out of the library, where your parents live.

At the moment, it is conceivable that this data can be obtained. But as it is all in different hands, ALL of that data can't be lost or stolen.

Also consider how easy it would be to fight a political opponent when you know everything about them.

This government have been absolutely amazing at coming up with laws to eradicate civil liberties and then say "yes, but it is all about preventing terrorism". Sadly, people seem to believe it.

[Quinlad]

The government should be allowed to randomly enter and search our homes, without reasonable suspicion.

If you've nothing to hide, what's the problem?

[squarebear]

True Vic but I'm assuming (maybe foolishly) that this data will be looked after.

I'm the same as Quinlad. I will do anything I can do to help stop these people.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Oh dear, there goes a car taking the Irony Bypass...

Yay - let's all give up all our hard won freedoms to stop the terrorists from achieving their aims and making us change our way of life to fit their deman...

Oh.

[China Doll]

I echo Waldo's sentiments. Besides, they can access all this information if they suspect you of something anyway can't they? Presuming they've enough evidence to get a warrant if someone doesn't want to be co-operative I guess.

Even if I wasn't concerned about the invasion of privacy aspect I'd still feel negatively about this idea due to any public service sector seeming to have an inability to keep any data they have secure.

[Quinlad]

I must stop doing that, Waldo.

[bazwillrun]

just like their expenses, if they had nothing to hide why were they against them coming out.

this so called government wants total and absolute control of us and will stop at nothing to get it.

using terrorism as an excuse to bring this in is a total joke, all the terrorists will do is go back to using snail mail, letters, will the government insist on intercepting all post next ?

[Gromit]

Hmmm, makes you wonder why letters take a day longer to be delivered than they did ten years ago?

[jno]

Quinlad, are you suggesting Jacqui Smith could come and inspect my knicker drawer? I'm going to have to think about this.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I was referring to squarebear, Quinlad.

[sp1814]

Hang on...just hang on a moment.

Most people have things they want to hide from prying eyes. Not necessarily illegal things...just things.

I mean, if you got home to find someone going through your rubbish bin would you just ignore them and go in?

No - you would challenge them.

People have a right to certain degree of privacy.

[youngmafbog]

About what I'd expect from this Government.

It has nothing to do with hiding things I just dont want the Government to be able to see what I spend my money on or view in the privacy of my own home. If I am suspected of something then get a warrant and search by all means but not an automatic right.

We have seen what local council busy bodies do - gorss misuse of the terorist act to spy on people to see if they should go to a school and how long before they used the data to see where best to raise tax revenue.

Terrorism is used like the save the planet - as an excuse to laws ni most decent people would be opposed to.

This is opf course what Mr Davis was banging on about. I thought he was a foll, but perhaps not

[R1Geezer]

You don't want to give Governmentst this kind of power. "Nothing to hide nothing to fear" perlease! They can't even look after the data they have. What happenns when they start selling data to private companies, insurers etc. If they think they'll get dosh they will. Sorry guys the government is supposed to serve us not trample us under jack boots. Nothing to hide? plenty to fear though.

Ok Squarebear i'm coming round to rifle your knicker drawer, mwahahaha!

[jno]

I wonder if reactions would have been the same if instead of 'all phone calls and emails' it had just said 'all Muslims' phone calls and emails'.

[ruby27]

jno

But, that would have been different because they are the bad guy's aren't they? Like the old hollywood films where the villains wore black hats or happened to be 'Indians', so easy to spot them when someone helpfully points out who to blame.

Seriously though, I like the others worry about this as being sledgehammer to crack nut, resulting in erosion of civil liberties. Pity really we live in such a transparent society now where the public needs to know what the powers to be are up to. In the old days the security services just went ahead and obtained phone taps, screening mail etc, all without us having to be aware of such measures.

[naomi24]

Make no mistake, the government can access any information it wishes to access, and it can tap any phone it wishes to tap without resorting to this. This 'Anti-terrorism' ploy is just another excuse to interfere with people's lives en masse, and to gain more and more control - and it does nothing whatsoever to alleviate any suspicion that may exist between the Muslims in this country and the indigenous population. An Englishman's home is his castle? No one's home is his castle - not any more!! Big Brother is upon us!! What a dispicable government this is!

[naomi24]

oops ... should have been despicable - but I'm sure you got my drift.