UK proposes surveillance database

In my last post, I didn't address the question of the legitimate role of government in conducting Internet surveillance as part of law enforcement efforts. With its story on a £12 billion British plan to establish a database to monitor email, text messages and phone calls, the Sunday Times brings the question to the forefront.

All the telecommunications companies in the US and Europe regularly cooperate with law enforcement in responding to requests for information related to criminal cases, including cases involving terrorism. These requests are made through specific warrants, which are granted through regularly established judicial processes. It's hard to argue with this kind of targeted surveillance that is squarely linked to aiding the criminal justice system.

Establishing a database to monitor every email, text and phone call sent within the UK is another story altogether. Such a system raises huge questions about the link to the judiciary, data security and the right to privacy. Details of the plan are not yet available (according to the Times article, more details will be made public in association with the Queen's speech next month), so it's too early to evaluate specifics.

That said, what distinguishes the UK proposal from the kind of surveillance being conducted in China, the UAE, Vietnam and other repressive regimes is the potential for public debate. As more details of the plan become available, I'll be curious to see how the public debate unfolds about the legitimacy of this kind of surveillance in a democracy, and how the government responds.