Given that other countries have been doing this type of thing for years, it is hardly surprising that it has now ended up here.

I would rather it be done openly rather than in a clandestine manner; at least you are aware that key words/sites are being monitored and have the opportunity to consider your actions. There is also the position that if you have nothing to be concerned about or to hide then it is unlikely to affect you.

Being concerned about a loss of Democracy or the Big Brother State in the current climate is a little naive as with the many threats of terrorism and organised crime the security services will be monitoring in an attempt to forestall any action and gain intelligence on their subjects anyway - it is after all their function.

I think that for years NSA has monitored our phones and GCHQ has monitored US phones - in each case to do so in their own country was dubious legally. Then they just swapped information.With terrorists becoming more IT savvy, I suppose more surveillance is inevitable.

its freedom v security how far do we go with the extreemist terror threat this may help but at a cost of our privacy

fourm member

.. a general loss of freedom?

You still have the freedom to send any e-mails you wish, visit any site, send any text or make any 'phone call. You have no loss of freedom, but, perhaps, if your interests are less than legal, you are more likely to have a visit from a security organisation.

In actual fact, a member of society who acts and lives within the law has little, if anything, to be concerned about. Yes, there will be open scanning of communications for key words and site visits for those recognised as likely to be used by persons wishing to break the law or bring harm to others. If you use such a word or visit such a site it may be logged and checked, but an isolated incident of an innocent nature is not likely to further infringe your liberty of cause your door to be broken down.

Hysteria will not make this country more secure or the population safer. Only good intelligence obtained by our security services will do that and the proposed methods are one of the less intrusive options available. Start worrying when you are required to have identity papers with you at all times, are told where to live, the job to do and require permission to own a telephone, computer or other device capable of communication.

johndrew.

I used to think as you do. As did FE.

Times change, so do attitudes. Maybe perspective comes with years, maybe not. But I fear for where my country is going.

WTM