On 01.04.2012 14:44, Richard Ibbotson wrote:
Sorry to ruin such a warm and sunny afternoon but here it is.... http://www.metro.co.uk/news/894870-government-to-introduce-web-and- email-monitoring-law " A new law, which is likely to be included in the Queen's Speech next month, would require internet firms to give GCHQ access tocommunications in real time. Internet usage could be monitored by thesecurity services under new laws. The plan will face strongopposition from civil liberties groups, but the Home Office claimed theproposed new powers are crucial in the battle against terrorism and serious crime " I suppose that someone will have an e-petition going against this soon. For my part I can only say that I have noticed again and again that this Government and other Governments have completely failed to understand anything about the internet. Lot of people have agreed with me about that point of view.
I also saw this, and at first assumed it was an April fools joke, but it so close to what already goes on that my guess is that it isn't. Perhaps it's related to an EU data retention directive, which apparently comes into force today.
I don't think this is a case of governments not understanding the internet. It's a case of them understanding it, and also understanding the commercial and political potential in data mining (hence the warrantless requirement). They know from the events of last year that how people communicate on the internet can have major repercussions for business as usual. If you're in possession of the traffic graph in something close to real time then analytical methods can be applied to head any upcoming movements off at the pass, and prevent giant components from emerging.
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