On Thursday there was a Parliamentary debate about the Internet and Privacy.
Some MPs expressed concern at the data-gathering exploits of Google, and disputed Google's assertion that their trawling of Wi-Fi details was 'accidental'.
I too cannot believe that such a technically-astute company on a photo-gathering exercise, could simultaneously acquire wi-fi data, and store it, and geo-locate it, 'inadvertently'.
The UK is described as as being 'the most surveilled country' among the industrialized Western nations. Details of some of the mass surveillance in the United Kingdom can be found here.
MP Robert Halfon stated "My question is this: are we sleepwalking into a privatised surveillance society? How can we stop it?"
I can understand Mr Halfon's concern. How dare a private company try to break the government's monopoly!
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15 comments:
Whats upsetting the political establishment is Google does it better and, more embarrassingly, considerably cheaper.
If you have and use a Tesco clubcard, for example, you are guilty of 'aiding and abetting' the corporate surveillance state.
I am forever giving the wife grief for using hers, and not just because it means she is shopping at a competitor!
Which is my excuse for never having the mobile phone switched on. At least they can't follow me that way, at least not until they insist we are all compulsorily micro-chipped. And when I answer surveys I always lie!
Joe, I was going to say more or less what Apogee has already done.
Excellent post.
English Pensioner said..
" Which is my excuse for never having the mobile phone switched on."
Sorry to tell you this but mobile phones are easily tracked even when switched off. You would have to remove the batteries to prevent tracking. An untraceable SMS signal would be sent to your phone number which would update your phone software to switch to permanent microphone / read messages etc or whatever was required. The internal circuitry is still working with the battery connected otherwise you would lose your time, messages etc.
Rab, I've been told that several times. Just to save a few pounds I've now shredded my 'loyalty' cards.
I suspect the stats on the weekly purchases of Tio Pepe will sink drastically. :)
Google is big, no doubt about it, but would they spend money to collect gather Wi-Fi details just for the Hell of it?
I don't think so.
The corporation has been PAID to do this, to gather this information. What we now need to ask is "Who is getting this information"
BTW, I'm not paranoid, I know that THEY are out to get me!
selsey..
I think the secrecy at the heart of our SNP govt is worse though.
All the fog over the Megrahi affair.
The failure to heed the 2008 ECHR ruling over the right of a suspect to see a lawyer.
The SNP support for the global warming scam with Alex visiting the maldives ( a one state, one religion theocracy).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1324275/Western-couple-mocked-infidel-wedding-minister-luxury-Maldive-resort.html
The SNP support for the EU and their 2006 Bill to record all e mails, phone calls and internet browsing.
The SNP's backing for Trumps destruction of the famous Aberdeen dunes.
The SNP's backing for windmills and pylons and smokestacks against the wishes of local citizens.
And of course the scandal over the new Forth river crossing..
http://a-place-to-stand.blogspot.com/2010/10/forth-bridge-scandal-guest-post-by-tom.html
Oh they're out to know all about you that's for sure Steve. Rab's not the first to say I shouldn't use loyalty cards etc.
I have to support the SNP government here RM although they may be the best of a bad bunch. Under any of the others it would be much worse, but that's just my feeling.
SR. I can't agree. I vote UKIP who are against all of these SNP policies.
They share the SNP policy of no referendum on Independence for Scotland. But that's the only policy that they share.
Fair enough RM, but UKIP don't have a hope in hell of getting a seat in Scotland so I would have thought I'd wasted my vote.
I do wish they'd get their act together though. Too much infighting in the party and now it seems Farage wants to come back.
RMcGeddon - Pure hypocricy through and through by the UKIP, OK for Scotland to be run by England but not ok for England to be run by the EU.
UKIP - An English funded and run party just like "Scottish" Labour, Lib-Dems and the Tories.
subrosa..
A UKIP vote isn't wasted. It helped to stop the fake Conservatives from getting a majority in the Uk Parliament. ( one million UKIP votes)
Billy...
" UKIP - An English funded and run party just like "Scottish" Labour, Lib-Dems and the Tories."
It funded a UKIP candidate in most Scottish seats.
Ok so go on voting SNP and what will you get ?
More of the EU. More of the global warming scam. More of the unlimited mass 3rd world immigration.
I supported the SNP for 40 years and delivered their leaflets etc. I was elated when they got elected yet what did we get ?
Nothing, Zip, Nada.
A bunch of cretins who couldn't even organise a referendum on independence because they were scared of being defeated.
So I'll opt out thanks and go for an independent Britain instead.
RM, there was no UKIP candidate here in John Swinney's constituency. I can understand how you feel though and like you, dedicated a great deal of time to helping the SNP once. I suppose I still do in a small way each day but quite reluctantly at times.
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