Coming out of the Times Online via Slashdot

Seems that the government, yes the same government that seems to mislay pretty important data without to much effort, wants to create and take ownership of a single database of all emails, Internet usage, text messages, and phone calls.

Personally this scares the crap out of me as they seem to be angeling for this based on it being vital to their fight against crime and terrorism, smacks worringly of the much malligened Patriot Act that’s been used in the USA. ‘Terrorism’ seems to be the term of choice to hide behind when pushing through intrusive measures that really violate the private citizen.

The frustration and anger that this generates in me is extensive. I’m all for fighting crime and terrorism but why do those that haven’t done anything have to be violated to get at them. More importantly why should sensitive and personal data be left in the hands of those that have proven themselves incapable of securing private information? Telecoms companies already keep records of all phone and texts for 12 months, accessible by subpoena, and they seem to be managing it satisfactorily so why change it to a process rife for abuse and criminal access?