The shape of things to come. (thanks to Cryptome for the heads up)
The EU is currently developing a new five year strategy for justice and home affairs and security policy for 2009-2014. The proposals set out by the shadowy “Future Group” set up by the Council of the European Union include a range of highly controversial measures including new technologies of surveillance, enhanced cooperation with the United States and harnessing the “digital tsunami”. In the words of the EU Council presidency:
“Every object the individual uses, every transaction they make and almost
everywhere they go will create a detailed digital record. This will generate a
wealth of information for public security organisations, and create huge
opportunities for more effective and productive public security efforts.”
The implications of this statement are breath-taking.
Across the EU – following the 2004 EU Directive – governments have, or are, adopting national laws for the mandatory retention of everyone’s communications data – all forms of communication (phone-calls, faxes, mobile calls including locations) which will be extended to keeping a record of all internet usage from 2009 – even though few are aware this is happening. This allows law enforcement and security agencies to get access to all traffic data – in the UK access is already automated. Access to the content should, under national law, be authorised – though state agencies have had the technological capability to access content for years.
When traffic data including internet usage is combined with other data held by the state or gathered from non-state sources (tax, employment, bank details, credit card usage, biometrics, criminal record, health record, use of e-government services, travel history etc) a frightening detailed picture of each individual’s everyday life and habits can be accessed at the click of a button.
Download the full document by Tony Bunyan analysing the EU’s Future groups plans here.
