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| Why we must fight to hang on to our personal data | Why we must fight to hang on to our personal data |
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| The latest National Security Agency data protection scandal highlights the increasing erosion of civil liberties by stealth (Editorial, 11 June). It is easy to discount our fears and assure ourselves that what is tantamount to a government spy programme, is necessary to prevent terror attacks on domestic soil. However, that argument simply isn't enough to justify such an invasion of privacy. Just because we cannot see the level of surveillance that we are subjected to doesn't mean we shouldn't be deeply alarmed. | The latest National Security Agency data protection scandal highlights the increasing erosion of civil liberties by stealth (Editorial, 11 June). It is easy to discount our fears and assure ourselves that what is tantamount to a government spy programme, is necessary to prevent terror attacks on domestic soil. However, that argument simply isn't enough to justify such an invasion of privacy. Just because we cannot see the level of surveillance that we are subjected to doesn't mean we shouldn't be deeply alarmed. |
| We are told that we should accept an arrangement whereby the British and UK security services spy on one another's citizens to circumvent privacy laws because "if you've done nothing wrong then you've nothing to fear". It's time that we say to governments: "If you've done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear from transparency and proper scrutiny." | We are told that we should accept an arrangement whereby the British and UK security services spy on one another's citizens to circumvent privacy laws because "if you've done nothing wrong then you've nothing to fear". It's time that we say to governments: "If you've done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear from transparency and proper scrutiny." |
| EU officials have repeatedly raised with the Americans the scope of legislation such as the Patriot Act, which can lead to European companies being required to transfer data to the US in breach of EU and national law. Yesterday in Strasbourg, the European Greens launched a campaign about the processing of personal data and its movement. | EU officials have repeatedly raised with the Americans the scope of legislation such as the Patriot Act, which can lead to European companies being required to transfer data to the US in breach of EU and national law. Yesterday in Strasbourg, the European Greens launched a campaign about the processing of personal data and its movement. |
| In the words of Benjamin Franklin: "Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." Perhaps Franklin could have added that most people have not even been offered the choice. Natalie Bennett Green party leader Keith Taylor Green MEP for South-east Jean Lambert Green MEP for London | In the words of Benjamin Franklin: "Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." Perhaps Franklin could have added that most people have not even been offered the choice. Natalie Bennett Green party leader Keith Taylor Green MEP for South-east Jean Lambert Green MEP for London |
| • No one has as yet raised the possibility that the private company contractors to the NSA, such as Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC and many more, who are responsible for obtaining and processing the private data from individuals and other companies, may use this data for illicit commercial gain. | • No one has as yet raised the possibility that the private company contractors to the NSA, such as Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC and many more, who are responsible for obtaining and processing the private data from individuals and other companies, may use this data for illicit commercial gain. |
| Presumably they will have ready access to the emails and mobile phone messages of traders on Wall Street and the City. I doubt very much if there would be any ethical barriers to using this "insider" information to make a killing in the markets. The methods of insider trading practised from time immemorial by City gents – a chat in the bar, the odd word in the ear at a meeting of a livery company, or over a malt whisky in the evening at one's club, must seem positively archaic, very low bandwidth, compared to the information available to the digital spooks. David Hookes Liverpool | Presumably they will have ready access to the emails and mobile phone messages of traders on Wall Street and the City. I doubt very much if there would be any ethical barriers to using this "insider" information to make a killing in the markets. The methods of insider trading practised from time immemorial by City gents – a chat in the bar, the odd word in the ear at a meeting of a livery company, or over a malt whisky in the evening at one's club, must seem positively archaic, very low bandwidth, compared to the information available to the digital spooks. David Hookes Liverpool |
| • Your interviews with numerous whistleblowers were inspiring (The truth sets you free, 11 June). Not one of them, despite all the deprivations and hardships they have suffered, regretted the action they had taken. In contrast to the platitudes of President Obama and William Hague about their governments' excessive security measures, the whistleblowers come across as the real and courageous defenders of our freedom and democracy. Ernest Rodker London | • Your interviews with numerous whistleblowers were inspiring (The truth sets you free, 11 June). Not one of them, despite all the deprivations and hardships they have suffered, regretted the action they had taken. In contrast to the platitudes of President Obama and William Hague about their governments' excessive security measures, the whistleblowers come across as the real and courageous defenders of our freedom and democracy. Ernest Rodker London |
| • London tube stations are adorned with large posters proclaiming: "Your privacy is our priority … Microsoft." Really? Viewed through whose Prism? Jeremy Beecham Labour, House of Lords | • London tube stations are adorned with large posters proclaiming: "Your privacy is our priority … Microsoft." Really? Viewed through whose Prism? Jeremy Beecham Labour, House of Lords |
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