CCTV report warns of encroachment on civil liberties

Story link: CCTV report warns of encroachment on civil liberties by Jan Harris

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas is publishing a report highlighting an encroachment on civil liberties by the Government and official bodies.

The report claims that the government is creating a climate of fear through the increasing use of CCTV cameras, computer tracking of shopping habits and plans for ID cards.

Mr Thomas believes that excessive monitoring of personal information has damaged
the rights of individuals and undermined society as a whole.

He will present the report to the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into the issue, and demand that the Government introduce measures to protect individuals’ privacy.

The UK has 20 per cent of the world’s CCTV cameras - 4.2 million or one for every 14 people.