Tuesday
16Dec2008
Jacqui Smith to prevent councils abusing surveillance powers
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 1:25PM
It's not often that one gets chance to praise the government on matters pertaining to civil liberties, so I won't pass up this chance.
According to a PR Release report in the Indi, Jacqui Smith is to crackdown on councils who are using surveillance powers to catch people leaving their bins out or allowing their dogs to cack on the pavement.
It would have been nice if Whitehall had nipped this sort of practice in the bud, rather than allowing council numpties to stick cameras in our wheelie bins, sift through our telephone records, and order covert agents to follow us around while we walk our pooch, but I suppose it's better late than never.
This is what makes me so sceptical of giving authorities greater powers. Rather like turfing out awkward hecklers using anti-terrorism powers, people tend to abuse power when they're given it.
All that said, [holds nose] well-done Jacqui.
According to a PR Release report in the Indi, Jacqui Smith is to crackdown on councils who are using surveillance powers to catch people leaving their bins out or allowing their dogs to cack on the pavement.
It would have been nice if Whitehall had nipped this sort of practice in the bud, rather than allowing council numpties to stick cameras in our wheelie bins, sift through our telephone records, and order covert agents to follow us around while we walk our pooch, but I suppose it's better late than never.
This is what makes me so sceptical of giving authorities greater powers. Rather like turfing out awkward hecklers using anti-terrorism powers, people tend to abuse power when they're given it.
All that said, [holds nose] well-done Jacqui.
in liberty, media, middle east, politics, uk
liberty, media, middle east, politics, uk 
Reader Comments (1)
I would agree with you, but I'm reminded of the phrase "Actions speak louder than words"