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Originally Posted by benbsb29  Privacy is also an issue in the UK these days, mainly due to the terrorism threat.
Tanveer, i dont think one can do much about it. It brings me back to the topic of frisking which is performed at airports, and even theatres like PVR. One doesnt like it, but in the greater interest of safety, have no other option. |
there are two issues here
1. The right of law enforcement to spy on messages armed with an order from the Judiciary
2. The right of law enforcement to spy on people on whim of any police official.
the first one is never a problem. If a court has given such a warrant, you have done something seriously wrong.
but the latter is a problem. you are giving the right to the Police force to act as judge and jury. This is what defines a police state.
A Law enforcement officer may be entagled with you in a legal battle over property, and since in his mind he things you owning that property is threat to national security, if he can arrest you and put you in jail without any judicial process, it means a police state.
Private message spying is similar. If you think a person with malicious intentions cannot get around, you are sadly mistaken. This is the day of the internet, the day of TOR networks, where even big brother, NSA or any of the largest agencies cannot do anything about encryption.
Mathematically 1024 but encryption is secure, and though they saw quantum computing will take care of it, before the key comes the lock, and you will have quantum encryption.
As for frisking in malls, I often go with my wife, where I am patted(very inefficiently) and my wife just walks through. How difficult is it for a terrorist to get a female to get a bomb into a mall.
PVR security is better but they screen you at the entrance where hundreds of people are present. If somebody wanted a mayhem, frisking won't stop that person. However intelligence will.
In Delhi couple of years ago there were serial blasts in crowded markets. What will the police do. Frisk millions of people?
The problem is that the govt tries to create an illusion that the laws it passes will make you safer. But I can simple state many such laws here which will make life of honest people difficult, but a person with malicious intentions will go through
1. ID proof and address proof for prepaid connections
Recently many people found themselves disconnected because of negligence of end dealers. I myself have given address proof thrice for connection. But if you want to cheat the system, go to a notary, pay 150rs and you have a rent agreement in judicial stamp paper.
2. Eves dropping in sensitive areas
Sure, a policeman can listen to private conversations and satisfy voyeuristic needs, but a "terrorist" will simple send a fax. Or just use a server bought for $2 a month in a safe haven and use that to leave and retrieve messages over 1024 bit encryption.
It is very important that the govt does not get any such rights, unless armed by a warrant from judiciary. Judiciary keeps the legislature in check.
Where does it stop. tomorrow, they will want the right to arrest anybody without a court warrant if they think the person is suspicious.
Yes it is happening. But just because something is happening now does not make it right.