A Free Society

November 2, 2006 | Filed Under Politics, Rant 

We are more and more observed by the state, our movements monitored by CCTV, our spending monitored by credit agencies and banks, our lives - watched daily by anybody with a claim to do so.

When I mention this to freinds and collegues - they often say “I’ve got nothing to hide, I do nothing wrong” or “Only criminals and terrorists try to hide - what are you hiding?” - well, they are kind of missing the point.

If I were to answer them by saying, “If you’ve nothing to hide you won’t mind if I come round and go through your bank statements then?” or perhaps “You won’t mind if I follow you around all day with a video camera”, then I’m betting there might be some objections.

Some of course might even say “go ahead!”, but I’m betting they’d change their tune if they new just how many organisations and public bodies I’d give that information to just for filling in a form or two and paying an admin fee.

We hear more and more frequently of organisations having data leaks, mix ups, loosing lists of names, bank details, medical records, it is obvious to any who care to open their eyes that the state is in no position to control the flow of this sort of information with the rigour and security it deserves.

Rememberence day is upon us once again, in two world wars brave men and women gave there lives to protect the freedoms we hold dear, don’t let the state take it away by the back door, your liberty is important, don’t lose it - and don’t let someone else lose it for you.

http://www.eff.org/
http://www.no2id.net/

Tags: Politics, Rant

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