Has technology created a surveillance state?

[Scottish Business Owner]

I'm sure this will spark a bit of debate. I'm one of these people who tends to embrace technology maybe a little to easily without really thinking about what information I create and leave behind.

The article below also highlighted that an amazing 4 million CCTV cameras now operate in the UK. OK I guess this is only one example but it helps to really show how much of a surveillance estate we line in

BBC NEWS | Politics | Warning over 'surveillance state'

 

[Gordon N]

In many ways it's true, but these days it seems almost unavoidable. I for one am not going to lose any sleep over it, although I am aware that there could be all sorts of info on me all over the place.

The data protection act does give us access to information stored about us, but I suppose you have to know where the information is before you can request it! I dread to think of the online trail of info and details that I don't know about.

 

[Tim Barlow]

I am in the same school of thought as you . I tend to give personal information fairly easily to companies (but get very cross when they abuse it).

I get very fed up of government organisations not talking to each other and am actually very pro the idea of one super database with records of all my tax, medical, vehicle, passport, birth certificates etc etc in one place.

Of course with all that information comes a duty to look after it (soemthing government clearly needs to work on) and being very clear about how it will and won't be used.