The "fight" against terrorism takes a step closer to 1984 methods;
http://ask.slashdot.org/askslashdot/05/12/15/0032202.shtml?tid=158&tid=215&tid=4
This intrusion into peoples privacy is now bordering on the ridiculous. This legislation introduced basically means the EU treats all its citizens as guilty, regardless of what we actually do.
I send an IM to my girlfriend telling her how much I miss her. That can now be *legally* read.
I phone my mom to say I'll be back home for the weekend. The state now *legally* knows where I am and going to be.
The "terrorists are plotting to kill us all" brigade are having a field day.
I sincerely hope that when this regulation/EU Directive comes to the UK it gets thrown out, as it isn't moral, right and doesn't add to my personal security.
:-: Edit :-: I'm ashamed to say Britain proposed the bill. We're doomed.
:-: Edit 2:-: It won't work. Heres some reasons why;
1) I'm assuming that a suspect will be "monitored" for emails/phone calls etc. If their personal computer has a virus (accidentally or intentionally) and it emails itself to multiple people across Europe, since the security services can't read the email content (and find its a virus) they will assume the suspect is giving orders out, and arrest the people. This is completely daft.
2) If I were to create an emailing list that contained one suspected terrorist or organised crime member, am I also a suspect? I could theoretically be arrested for assisting them, as well as other list members. Since law enforcement can't know the content of the emails, I could be sending instructions on how to cook flapjack rather than anything malicious.
3) What will "organised crime" be limited to? If a body or bodies, like the MPAA or RIAA, persuaded the EU that P2P filesharers were participating in "organised crime" then all files uploaded/downloaded would have been recorded. Such data would be able to convict a P2P'er even if they were transferring non copyright infringing items.
4) I could, theoretically, claim my house mate was acting strangely and have the entire house placed under "surveillance". Since I live in a house with 6 other people, surely that is morally wrong to spy on 5, 6 or 7 innocent people? Would they have any come back on the Government in this respect?
5) Scaling this idea up, will the Government departments be "monitored" for this activity? Or will they be exempt?
Another nail in the coffin for democracy. 
