Britain has been called the ‘Surveillance Society’. Citizens are watched and monitored by various technology. Now the government proposes to extend the surveillance activities to cell phone calls and internet activities. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon defended this surveillance:
“…He was responding to criticism of plans for a database of mobile and web records, saying it was needed because terrorists used such communications.
By not monitoring this traffic, it would be “giving a licence to terrorists to kill people”, he said.”
link: Hoon defends giant database plans
Mr Hoon is relying on people’s fears and wish for security to implement such a massive data base. Mr Hoon could use the same premise for opening and inspecting every piece of ‘snail mail’ that passes the Royal Mail system. Terrorists may use snail mail. Everything can be suspect – and nothing will be private and inviolable.
Catherine Forsythe
