UK Taps 439,000 Phones, Now Wants To Monitor MPs

JPMH writes "With the largest density of CCTV cameras in the world, and an increasing network of automatic number-plate recognition cameras on main roads, Britain has long been a pioneer for the surveillance society. Now new official figures reveal that UK agencies monitored 439,000 telephones and email addresses in a 15 month period between 2005 and 2006. The Interception of Communications Commissioner is seeking the right for agencies to be allowed to monitor the communications of Members of Parliament as well, something which has been forbidden since the 1960s. It must be that it is bringing their numbers down: on the law of averages they should be monitoring at least 5 of the MPs."

WTF? Seriously, WTF?

[Rob T Firefly]

But Sir Swinton rejected the suggestion of allowing intercept material on terrorists and organised criminals to be used in evidence in trials. "If terrorists and criminals, most particularly those high up in the chain of command, know that interception would be used in evidence against them, they will do everything possible to stop providing the material which is so very valuable as intelligence."

This has bended my mind. My mind is now bended.

Re:Fuck this...

[MillionthMonkey]

BTW, do you really think the cameras are archived or looked at in any depth.

You're right, they're just there to scare you and the images are never archived and nobody looks at them.
In fact there is no electricity going to the cameras and those in the know often climb up and bash them open to release the candy hidden inside for all the gleeful British children on the ground below.

Re:Oh please let them be monitored

[Elemenope]

[...]Members might find some 'unusual' feedback on their lines, however.

Ugh, that is soooo last century. ;) 21st century surveillance is new and improved; you need not have a clue you are being watched at all!

Re:Fuck this...

[jez9999]

If they speak English, why aren't you calling them 'Ireland'??

Re:Fuck this...

[phookz]

Your lack or patriotism and excessive use of foul language has been noted...

No, wait, I've got it!

[Civil_Disobedient]

Instead of using security cameras, which have a bad public perception, we could instead mandate that all television importers be required to install cameras inside their sets. This way we could have nearly 100% coverage, even inside people's houses (where most crimes are committed), yet not be so obviously pervasive as to give citizens discomfort.

Naturally there would be a public concern of targeted "viewing", so we just have to hire people to monitor these sets and do it at random. That way, people won't actually know if they're being monitored or not.

We could call these modified TV's... telescreens.

Re:Fuck this...

[isorox]

My Grandma died last year of cancer. She was one of the brave women that gunned down German planes over Widnes during World War II.

Saving Widnes isn't something to be proud of -- unless you mean the planes crashed into Widnes, which is a glorious triumph! ;)

Re:Fuck this...

[TobascoKid]

Like the Germans were anything compared to combined forces of the British government and British teenagers. One group of thugs might not be so bad, but two?