Big Brother

I haven't seen any reference to this on the forums.

Is it an empty threat, or an actual plan?
How massive would this database need to be, to keep track on the contents of every single e-mail sent and received in this country?
I honestly don't think it's possible.
Then add voice recordings of every phone call, and store the contents of every text message, and internet search.
Are they kidding?
Does the government "advisor", that thought of this, actually know how much data storage they'd need?
Several billion terrabytes would be my estimate.

It is thought the scheme would allow the police or MI5 to access the exact time when a phone call was made, the number dialled, the length of the call and, in the case of mobile phones, the location of the handset to within an accuracy of a few hundred yards.

Similarly for e-mails, it would provide details of when they were sent and who the recipients were. Police recovering a suspect�s computer would then be able to trawl through hard-drive records and recover particular messages. The content of telephone calls could not be recovered unless they were being intercepted at the time.

If you read right through - past the early journalese:-

The Home Office yesterday defended the need to keep its surveillance powers up to date with changing internet technology, and said full details of the plans would be published this year as part of a new Communications Data Bill.

Officials said the internet was rapidly revolutionising communications and it was vital for surveillance powers to keep up with technology in order to fight serious crime and terrorism.

and

Police forces use hundreds of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras across the UK, some at fixed sites and some in cars.

Computers are able to compare numbers with a national database of cars which may be stolen, or whose owners are wanted for questioning.

Each check takes around four seconds.

Since last year, the Government has been developing a central database which also records the details every time a car passes an ANPR camera, anywhere in Britain.

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the Government has been developing a central database which also records the details every time a car passes an ANPR camera

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have to get the Polski plates out again.

It's not totally clear who's drawing the parallel with Automatic Number Plate Recognition but I think the two are totally different. With ANPR, you're, presumably, in a public place and are "fair game". Monitoring private calls and emails won't ever get off the ground no matter how seriously the Home Office defends it.

John

Monitoring private calls and emails won't ever get off the ground no matter how seriously the Home Office defends it.

Well not unless they also start opening up every single snail-mail letter and parcel.

After all, do they not think terrorists (or whichever group of people they're trying to keep track of) would not just go back to posting letters?

Seriously, someone in central government needs their head examining.
It's a bit like the question that used to be on US visa application forms "are you, or have you ever been a member of the communist party", or the one on UK government pass application forms "are you a member of any terrorist organisation".
Do they really think someone's actually going to put "yes"?

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Monitoring private calls and emails won't ever get off the ground no matter how seriously the Home Office defends it.

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It's already being done.

All that is in question is ease of access to the information and by whom. Possibly also whether central databases should be created to draw together the individual phone company and email provider records. I think this last is what is under consideration.

Seriously, someone in central government needs their head examining.

Before you know it, they'll be making an "Action Plan" to make terrorists visit casualty departments.

John.

Before you know it, they'll be making an "Action Plan" to make terrorists visit casualty departments.

I doubt it, as casualty departments will soon require patients to surrender their compulsory biometric id cards at the entrance in case of drunken/drugged misbehaviour.

And we all know that terrorists won't be able to get (false) biometric id cards, don't we?

Knowing our government, they'll outsource it to the same people who are doing the NHS computer system, should keep them tied up for a geed few years and use a few more billions of our money.