**** Elections thread *****

[Savy]

Most people don't think they have anything to hide.

Then they're idiots aren't they because that isn't the point at all.

[Poopadoop]

Then they're idiots aren't they because that isn't the point at all.

The point is that the gov't shouldn't intrude on your life? No of course they shouldn't. Neither should Google or Tesco or anyone else who collects data on you without you knowing it (except that it's an open secret). Gov't is no different to them imo.

If the gov't were to start arresting people 'cause they looked at some communist website then I'd have a bigger problem with it.

[Savy]

The point is that the gov't shouldn't intrude on your life? No of course they shouldn't. Neither should Google or Tesco or anyone else who collects data on you without you knowing it (except that it's an open secret). Gov't is no different to them imo.

If the gov't were to start arresting people 'cause they looked at some communist website then I'd have a bigger problem with it.

The difference is none of those companies collect data on me without it being my choice. Except google I suppose, they're scum too.

[Poopadoop]

The difference is none of those companies collect data on me without it being my choice. Except google I suppose, they're scum too.

Well for one, it's not really your choice to not have a Tesco Clubcard, or at least not in your interests since it saves you money.

But regarding the gov't, do you think there is someone in a gov't office who has a light go off every time you, Savy, get on the internet? Obviously not, right?

So what do you think they use those powers for? Crime prevention, stopping terrorists, etc., or something more sinister? If the former, then isn't this a good thing? And if the latter, then what sinister purpose exactly do you think they're using the info for?

[Savy]

So what do you think they use those powers for? Crime prevention, stopping terrorists, etc., or something more sinister? If the former, then isn't this a good thing? And if the latter, then what sinister purpose exactly do you think they're using the info for?

There are a few things here but ultimately they don't keep your information safe so it isn't an issue of what the government want that information for it's what anyone wants it for.

[Poopadoop]

There are a few things here but ultimately they don't keep your information safe so it isn't an issue of what the government want that information for it's what anyone wants it for.

I agree they have no business tracking what average people do. But I'm curious as to what specifically people think the gov't is doing to spy on them, and how they are in danger of being harmed by it.

For example, I've heard people complain about cctv on public streets being an invasion of privacy, to which I think 'What privacy? you're on a public street.'

[Savy]

I agree they have no business tracking what average people do. But I'm curious as to what specifically people think the gov't is doing to spy on them, and how they are in danger of being harmed by it.

For example, I've heard people complain about cctv on public streets being an invasion of privacy, to which I think 'What privacy? you're on a public street.'

Ultimately the question has to be what is the benefit to why they are doing this. I don't have much of a problem with CCTV but I'd be very surprised if it didn't turn out to be a complete waste of money. You do also get CCTV that intrudes on peoples private property which is a no go.

Also this whole average people thing is a bullshit argument. There are pretty strict measures in place for getting a warrant to go into peoples homes. There is a reason for this. Now what happens if the government essentially is able to gather huge amounts of information on anyone they want and do what they want with it. This is clearly not even remotely ok. They attempt to get away with it because they say TERRORISM!!!!!! but it's just complete bollocks.

There is a very good bit of Will Self on question time talking about it but I can't seem to find the clip on youtube unfortunately.

[OngBonga]

So what do you think they use those powers for? Crime prevention, stopping terrorists, etc., or something more sinister? If the former, then isn't this a good thing? And if the latter, then what sinister purpose exactly do you think they're using the info for?

If smart TVs are able to spy on people, then they can be used for sinister motives. Here's a few I can think of... exposing affairs of prominent people for political purposes, voyeurism (if you think that civil servants don't abuse their tools, you're naive in the extreme), blackmail, fucking TV license enforcement, targetted advertising based on your private conversations, intellectual property law enforcement, perhaps petty law enforcement like weed trades between friends, and the ability of government to listen in on private conversations... classic spying in every household which could be used for political purposes. This list isn't exclusive, there's going to be many more ways such tools can be abused.

If you're happy to have the government listen to your private conversations in your living room while you eat a curry with the missus, then that's a very sad reflection of how much your value your freedom.