Big Brother microphones could be next step
By Philip Johnston, Home Affairs Editor
Last Updated: 1:52am BST 02/05/2007
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Hidden mini-cameras and microphones that can eavesdrop on
conversations in the street are the next step in the march towards
a "Big Brother" society, MPs were warned yesterday.
Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, said a debate had
begun about whether listening devices should be set up alongside
Britain's 4.5 million CCTV cameras.
A talking CCTV, Big Brother microphones could be next step
Talking CCTV: a bridge too far
In evidence to the Commons home affairs committee, Mr Thomas said
he would be hostile to such an idea.
He was also alarmed by the prospect of tiny cameras, hidden in lamp
posts, replacing more obvious monitors.
Mr Thomas even considered that so-called ''talking CCTV'', which is
to be trialled in 20 areas across the country, might be a ''bridge
too far''. This system allows operators to bellow orders at those
deemed to be behaving badly.
He said it was arguable that surveillance in Britain - which is
greater than in any other democratic nation - may already have gone
too far. It was crucial, he added, to ''proceed with caution'' to
avoid creating a climate suspicion.
MPs told Mr Thomas that their constituents were keen on CCTV, which
they found reassuring.
But Mr Thomas said that a proper assessment of whether other means
of crime control, such as improved street lighting, might be a
better was rarely carried out.
He called for ''privacy impact assessments'', which are used in
Australia and America every time a public authority wants to
introduce CCTV or start a database.
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Mr Thomas believes the Information Commissioner's Office should
have more powers to investigate privacy breaches without seeking
the consent of organisations such as the NHS or Whitehall
departments.
Another idea is to introduce a website detailing the position of
CCTV cameras as well as automatic numberplate recognition devices
on motorways.
Mr Thomas said: "We would be wholly against hidden cameras unless
there is an extremely good reason in very, very limited
circumstances."
John Denham, the committee chairman, said there appeared to be
little evidence that anyone's life had been adversely affected by
CCTV or data sharing. But Mr Thomas said complaints were regularly
received at his office. He cited a case in Essex where images of a
man who had been trying to commit suicide were used on television
to show the benefits of CCTV in tackling crime.
He said it was important there was not a "free-for-all" in
accessing people's information.
Mr Thomas quoted Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of
the US, who said: "Those who lightly give up their liberties in the
name of safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
"I think there is something in that," Mr Thomas added.
Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said:
"This Government has got away with the construction of a
surveillance state behind the backs of the British people for far
too long."