Big Brother is listening and reading everything

[Coddy]

Hi folks,

 

Slightly off subject, but as this is an INTERNET based fishing list it has relevance, and in any case follows on from issues raised re Article 47...

 

Cheers,

Coddy

 

 

They are watching you. As of two weeks ago, a European Union directive came into force that required all internet service providers (ISPs) to keep records of emails sent, and internet phone calls made, by their customers.

 

In other words, if you send an email to someone, your ISP is obliged to keep a record of who you are, to whom you sent the message, their ISP, and so on.

Similar rules are in place for mobile and landline phone calls, and for internet telephony services such as Skype.

The ISPs didn't want this. They fought for years against it, saying that their job shouldn't include that of policemen.

 

All this data retention (as it's officially known) is being done for the sake of gathering evidence in future criminal investigations. People arrested for serious crimes are likely to find their computers taken away in sealed plastic bags, and forensically examined for fingerprints-the physical and the digital kind.

Opponents say this vast database will be open to abuse. In theory, it can be accessed by people in local authorities, committees and quangos.

So where does it leave you and me? In practice, almost all of this data was being collected by the ISPs in the first place-they needed it to make the service work. What's different is that it is now being stored and made searchable.

What's most galling is that this is EU-imposed legislation, has not been voted on-or even discussed formally-in Parliament. To find out more about campaigns against the directive, and other aspects of digital rights, check out the Open Rights Group at www.openrightsgroup.org

 

[Paul D]

Not a problem in my opinion. I think it is quite reasonable to take someone's computer away and search it forensically if they are arrested for a serious crime.

This has always been the case, so why blame the EEC for this ?

 

and while on the case, how about the fact that the EU have opened an infringment proceeding against the UK regarding the use of Phorm behavioural tracking mechanisms by the likes of BT. They are concerned that people's provacy is being compromised. They are quite correct IMHO. ( the author of this one sided note seems to have forgotten to mention this ! )

 

Phorm -Behavioural monitoring

[TomBettle]

I don't like being watched, but in truth we aren't.

 

My email to my aunty about a disabled second cousin really isn't that interesting and won't be abused.

 

If a peado happens to be using a similar service and his contacts are recorded and caught then fantastic.

 

I don't see it as a problem to me and as I have nothing to hide apart from the odd scan of Pizza Huts latest menu it doesn't bother me.

 

Tom

[alun j.]

Thank You.................. Safety Officer !!

[Sinbad]

I've just spent almost a year on an internal project at work implementing a digital media capture system, so next time you hear the " calls to this service may be recorded for training purposes - you better remember that 100% of your call is recorded and maintained on file. Worth remembering when the sales assistant needs a good shout and rant at....

 

I suppose it also is up to you if you would be worried about someone going through your rubbish bin, piecing together bits of your correspondence, mixed up in 6 day old roast leftovers and veg, with a handful of hair picked out of the bath plug.

 

As Tom says, they're welcome to it.

 

P

[Maverick Martin]

I've just spent almost a year on an internal project at work implementing a digital media capture system, so next time you hear the " calls to this service may be recorded for training purposes - you better remember that 100% of your call is recorded and maintained on file. Worth remembering when the sales assistant needs a good shout and rant at....  

Won't deter me, if they deserve it they will get it

[great white]

I am sure they do Martin, I would love to have been a fly on the wall in certain engine companies recently.

 

 

To be honest as others are saying unless you are doing something dodgy its all a bit of a storm in a t cup.

 

 

They are welcome to route in my bin, and keep the old hooks, newspaper from the ragworms and fish carcases

 

Charlie

[codpiece]

 

At 73yrs of age big brother does not rate highly on my list of worries, I am just so glad that I am not my great grand children!! Senile aged rant over, tight lines, Derek.

[diverdave]

It also means we can watch big brother ! Freedom of information ?

Bearing in mind how we have all been raped and abused by government and the banks.

It works both ways, bring it on.

 

[jack]

Being a "grumpy old sod" I love it when phoning to complain....I always ask ."is this conversation being recorded ?" then follow up with."good,Firstly can I have your name and position with the company ?"

You would be amazed how this sharpens the attention of the operative.

Like many thousands of ordinary members of the public,I have nothing to hide and welcome big brothers intrusion,if it puts a rein on the activities of those "with something to hide".

Bring it on ! jack

[codpiece]

Sorry all I appear to have been totaly misunderstood (not unusual) I have no objection at all to the authorites ''spying'' on legitimate targets I understand everyone who admirably says ''I aint done nufink, I aint got nufink to hide'' but, to put it in a nutshell, those who agree to a total authority right to spy any time anywhere should perhaps give residing in a nice little condo in North Korea a try, Sorry but I dont like the thought of snidy little persons peering through my curtains,opening my mail, going through my rubbish, and tapping my phone without so much as a by your leave or port arms, so there!!! Tight lines to you all Derek.