Government to track all emails - page 2

10 months ago 12th Jan 13:10

Warner also points out that the scheme to track emails could be a waste of time and money.

He continued: “There are massive and costly impracticalities. The government will be dealing with trillions of pieces of information that ultimately may not even be reliable”.

These developments come amidst ongoing processes to submit people with identity cards later this year.

Those who refuse to be issued with a card, if they renew their passports before 2010, will still have their details entered onto the National Identity Register, but everyone will be required to sign up for one by next year.

These identity cards will include details such as people’s names, date of birth and address, and will also contain a chip holding basic personal identity information.

Biometirc data, which are unique personal characteristics such as fingerprints and irises, will also be considered. These are currently used in newly introduced passports.

The Home Office states: “When you apply for an ID card, we will check your ‘biographical footprint’ (name, date of birth and address) against information held in other databases such as National Insurance or driving licence records”.

This is another example of how the Government is using advanced technology to monitor the activities of British citizens in an attempt to overcome terrorism.

In outlining the controversial Interception Modernisation Programme, Government bodies state: “The Interception Modernisation Programme is a key example of how Government is using innovative and ground-breaking technology to stay well ahead of the terrorists”. (1)

Consultations over the Interception Modernisation Programme are due to begin later this year.

By Kay Taylor.

(1) As outlined in The United Kingdom Security and Counter-Terrorism Science and Innovation Strategy, 2007.