Say goodbye to your internet privacy

olafgarten

While this is really bad, this was almost definitely happening before the bill and would continue even if it wasn't there. In a way this is better as it sets down some Guidelines so that in future we have a basis to adapt this and make it more appropriate. 

Sambostar

Sambostar

We are dogs.

Unorthodox

olafgarten said:

While this is really bad, this was almost definitely happening before the bill and would continue even if it wasn't there. In a way this is better as it sets down some Guidelines so that in future we have a basis to adapt this and make it more appropriate. 

Yes, such systems have been in place for years capturing internet traffic. The UK is one (if not THE) worst offender of this. See:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastering_the_Internet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_(surveillance_program)

But now they're opening the system up to just about every government agency and public service there is. That's a big step backwards. How many jealous ex's, former friends with an axe to grind, wronged acquaintances, or just plain nutters in these positions will use it nefariously? Almost definitely going to happen.

Emp_Fab

OK, so I've had a look at AIR and it appears that you get 3 devices per account.  Sod that.  I've got a lot more than 3 devices.  None of the routers I have spare are compatible with DD-WRT, Tomato or Merlin firmware, so my only option is to run a machine specifically as a gateway/VPN device.  i.e. stick another NIC in it and insert it between my DSL router and my switch.

Bit of a faff, but at least everything that leaves my LAN will be over a VPN.  Three devices my arse !

@blobb

Sporky

Sambostar said:

I wouldn't worry it's the Americanisation of the UK, due mainly to liberals and greed.

Are you redefining "liberal" to mean "authoritarian"?

digitalscream

Sporky said:

Sambostar said:

I wouldn't worry it's the Americanisation of the UK, due mainly to liberals and greed.

Are you redefining "liberal" to mean "authoritarian"?

I think he's redefined it to mean "anything I don't like in the world"

ThePrettyDamned

what happens to the data - there are some really fucking clever computer people out there and if they want to steal that data, they will. 

Assuming some twunt doesn't just leave it on the train. 

I would imagine this would lead to protest - in the streets, or in the cyber world. Anonymous would have a field day. 

digitalscream

ThePrettyDamned said:

what happens to the data - there are some really fucking clever computer people out there and if they want to steal that data, they will. 

Assuming some twunt doesn't just leave it on the train. 

I would imagine this would lead to protest - in the streets, or in the cyber world. Anonymous would have a field day. 

Exactly. The data storage facility would become the de-facto one-stop-shop for everything a blackhat could possibly want, and government-implemented security is...not the best.

Anonymous will be in there at some point.

holnrew

I don't want the government knowing I have an association with sambostar

blobb

 Three devices my arse !

@blobb

More than you get with most others. The benefits outweigh the restrictions, imo.

The best VPN is, of course, to cut the wire, go to the library for information, meet friends down the pub and watch videos on those shiny disc things. Music on the plastic spinney discs. ......but then again, that's sort of the reason behind the internet in the first place. We comply en-masse. Be careful out there, and don't forget to register to vote.

CabbageCat

digitalscream said:

CabbageCat said:

blobb said:

CabbageCat said:

I'm not spending £30 to stand up against someone with nothing but dangerous motivations taking my freedom away, My freedom, the freedom of my children and the freedom of others is not worth £30. Poor me.

Fixed that for ya ;-)

My freedom is extremely important to me. Much, much more so than my privacy.

The state already takes responsibility for our property, our behaviour and our time with our blessing. Having them also keep an eye on some zeroes and ones as they pass through someone else's computer seems like vanishingly small beans.

Yes, until you consider that they'll

a) Be selling that data to "selected commercial partners". Do you trust those partners as much as the government trust their money?

b) Be storing that data. Do you trust the government's track record for data security?

a) What are they going to do with that data? Advertise at us? So I'll be seeing targeted adverts instead of Cath Kidston bags? Even if they did have nefarious and genuinely damaging plans for me I wouldn't trust the govt to fuck about with my details any more or less than my ISP or bank or Google.

b) No. I don't trust Sony's or Yahoo's or LinkedIn's or Dropbox's either. I do trust that the information about me on the internet is sufficiently nondescript that no-one is going to look twice at it (apart from bank details...but the bank is insured against such things).

People will say that this is the thin end of the wedge but really it's a fairly horizontal part of the middle of the wedge. "We" gave the state a mandate for our security, which made the business of criminals their business, which also made the business of criminal suspects their business, which then made everyone's business their business.

Note that I have no problem with other people feeling antsy about this issue. Some people care much more about digital privacy than others. I just thought it was worth pointing out that not everyone particularly cares.

thebreeze

I see this in a broader context.  I think it's the first of a really important battle between traditional state government and a new emerging system (as yet undefined).  Traditional state approaches are struggling to keep up with how many people are choosing to think and behave.

The question for me is have our politicians earned the right to maintain a systemic status quo?  The fact that these alternatives are gaining traction suggests probably not.

I'd be happy to put my faith in the institutions that have developed over time (like we have been) but when you look at all the lying, mismanagement, unfairness and personal self-interest that is supposed to pass for "government" (so many recent and blatant examples) and a complete lack of ability or motivation in dealing with the really important and pressing issues (unsustainable growth/climate change, global poverty, regional peace, education, a willingness to really take-on the damaging effects of unregulated, run-away commercialism etc) I'm thinking a radical change must be a helpful thing.

In other words, I don't trust "the government" any more.

ThorpyFX

I know this may be a bit daft, but there are loads of people here with very strong views on this. I personally have written to my MP to air my protestations. If people think strongly about it I'd suggest you do the same.

it may seem a waste of time, but letting your MP personally know that you feel aggrieved is the best way to get your point across.

digitalscream

ThorpyFX said:

I know this may be a bit daft, but there are loads of people here with very strong views on this. I personally have written to my MP to air my protestations. If people think strongly about it I'd suggest you do the same.

it may seem a waste of time, but letting your MP personally know that you feel aggrieved is the best way to get your point across.

If they're anything like our MP, then don't expect any kind of useful answer. Mine has always responded with, "I can't vote against this unless I want to lose my job, and I don't feel strongly enough about it to do that" when it comes to any whipped vote.

ThePrettyDamned

ThorpyFX said:

I know this may be a bit daft, but there are loads of people here with very strong views on this. I personally have written to my MP to air my protestations. If people think strongly about it I'd suggest you do the same.

it may seem a waste of time, but letting your MP personally know that you feel aggrieved is the best way to get your point across.

Not A Waste At All. 

Weird Phone Formatting. . . 

crunchman

They can't actually lose their job until the next election.  They might lose a cabinet post which is slightly different.  The problem is that your vote, on it's own, won't be enough of a threat of losing their job at the next election.

digitalscream

crunchman said:

They can't actually lose their job until the next election.  They might lose a cabinet post which is slightly different.  The problem is that your vote, on it's own, won't be enough of a threat of losing their job at the next election.

No, but they can lose their cabinet position for defying the Whip, I believe.

ThorpyFX

digitalscream said:

crunchman said:

They can't actually lose their job until the next election.  They might lose a cabinet post which is slightly different.  The problem is that your vote, on it's own, won't be enough of a threat of losing their job at the next election.

No, but they can lose their cabinet position for defying the Whip, I believe.

Well, I'll see I guess. My MP is Andrea leadsom. Who has asked for my address so that she can write to me. We'll see what the content is, I imagine it's along the lines you mention but you never know......

Sporky

ThorpyFX said:

Well, I'll see I guess. My MP is Andrea leadsom. Who has asked for my address so that she can submit me for extraordinary rendition.

Paranoided-that-up for you.