Windows 7: British government planning to monitor all internet and e-mail traffic

In an effort to supposedly combat terrorism, the British government is planning to introduce legislation to monitor web and e-mail usage.

Not so sure I'm in agreement with these proposals, but then I'm not in agreement with terrorism either.

BBC News - Email and web use 'to be monitored' under new laws

Hi there
I wouldn't worry about this -- just think of the sheer MASSIVE volumes of data -- this is so over-kill that it actually defeats the whole object of the exercise.

In fact the REAL guys they are targeting would just switch into other methods of communication -- including "Snail Mail" and the "Dead Letter Box" to say nothing of numerous other ways of communication.

We might not approve of people like CIA, Deuxieme Bureau, MOSSAD, GCHQ etc etc -- but in general these people are better equipped to handle looking through much reduced volumes of specific data for "terrorists" etc.

I can just imagine 1000's of low level office workers having to sift through nine Zillion boring Mobile phone calls or texts that all start out with the message "I'm On the Train'.

Back in the Cold war days -- the KGB was actually quite technologically competant -- where it failed was that after a while the sheer volumes of data --even back then it had to deal with and the literally zillions of people it had to liase with just meant that loads of actions that it could have done quickly took weeks (thank goodness) actually nullifying their "work".

Those no reason to suspect it would be any different this time --in fact it would be worse since we are talking not only Peta bytes of data but EXABYTES !!!!

Not pratically possible to carry this stuff out --i'd just suggest to the politicians they would do better to get the Economy working again instead of wasting time with this junk.

Even when dealing with terrorism etc -- the old mantrim of Keep it simple stupid still works.

Just leave this stuff to the Pros -- all the Politicians need to do is ensure that some of these organisations know exactly where the boundaries are when required to do "Wet Jobs" or "Black Ops" and where obvious breaches are made they are brought to justice as soon as possible.

Cheers
jimbo

No organization, no matter how harmless or professional it may seem, should be allowed to tap into the population's privacy.

Must I point out the obvious here? I guess everyone knows it already.
Think! Before it's illegal.

Hi there
in the UK do you think this stuff would ever go any where near a Court -- at the top level Masonry is rife and in any case I suspect that people are quite satisfied that there are others out there working in all sorts of situations to keep the rest of us safe.

I for one am 100% happy when I'm sleeping in my hotel bed near Charing X in London's West End that there ARE people out there trying to keep the state safe.

Of course we need to get rid of the low level B/S that occurs -- last week leaving St Pancras station to go to Brussels from London on the Eurostar train service I was asked "Where are you going" by some person dressed with one of those "Black pillar boxes" over her head". I just said "Europe".

When she got more insistent and said "Where" I just said I'm not required to give you that information. -- The wretched scrobitesse then said I'll call the Police. So I just said fine -- you aren't giving me your authority to ask for the information you've requested - so call them.

Now I come from a fairly democratic country where the Police DO have to follow the law even if I don't agree with it -- so I said -- OK I'll wait and see what "Plod" have to say.

After 10 mins "Plod" arrives -- woman says I'm Hassiling her -- fortunately other passengers say he was just asking for your authority to ask your question.


"Plod" surprisingly agrees with me -- says sorry sir you've been bothered and woman plus "post box" outfit was removed from duty.

I really have no problems with security issues etc -- but LOW level functonaries or officials being paid huge amounts of money from the public purse "JUST GET MY GOAT". Especially when they are hid behind all sorts of costumes so they would not be recognized in a Court.

Cheers
jimbo

Have heard this too and in the light of mass condemnation over phone tapping by journalists, I am not sure that spying can be a good thing for Governments either.

It does seem like it will be another massive headache and cost gazillions to actually achieve in any effective manner.

But why on earth would we want a Stasi esque society anyway?

Who is actually voting for any of this, we are supposed to be a democracy for lord's sake!

Hi there
My last word on this as this is a Windows 7 Forum -- but weren't the present Coalition partners 100% against this when the previous British administration proposed identical rules.

OK nobody expects 100% sense from politicians -- but this does seem a "remarkable conversion on the road from Damascus".

Interesting to look if anybody has being buying loads of stocks from companies like Haliburton etc recently.

cheers
jimbo