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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbb60sbyJN8

The above the first part of a documentary recently shown on the BBC regarding the extent to which we are all being watched by the state. I found it a particularly interesting show to watch and thought I would post it here in the hope of encouraging some debate.

I must admit that the impression I got was that these measures have, on the whole, honestly been put in place with the best intentions. However there seems to have been a real creep into using them for reasons outside of their original purpose.

If you keep watching the various parts you will see a few serious misuses of power. The couple flagged for attending anti-war protests and the family who admitted did try to screw the system with regards to their daughters school but where covertly surveyed for several weeks are examples of misuses of technology.

I've no issue with the technology existing per say but there need to far stricter checks and balances in place to prevent it's misuse because right now there seem to be some serious issues with techniques which we were assured were to protect us from muggers and terrorists being used to persecute Dog walkers and anyone who drops a crisp packet.

So what do we think? If we have nothing to hide do we really have nothing to fear?

I'm just beginning to watch this now, but I have to say before I start if you broke the law you will pay.

Now don't go off thinking I'm in for enforcing every law on the books, I don't believe in the conviction or even having laws against victimless crimes. I know you can claim a victim (the state) if a dog poos on the side walk, but in truth there is no victim. If cameras are catching you running a light and your getting a ticket that's fine, if they are catching you walking on the grass and fining you for it I find that incredibly extreme. I personally try to keep my head low as if I were in a constant state of laying low from the law.

With that I must add.

The Camera is the unblinking eye, our all knowing, all seeing God.