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Mass Surveillance Will Not Stop Terrorism

posted by LaminatorX on Monday January 26 2015, @12:31PM   Printer-friendly
from the ministry-of-truth dept.

AnonTechie writes:

Some U.K. politicians are trying once again to pass mass surveillance laws after the Paris attacks. It’s a misguided approach, says a computing researcher.

In response to the terrorist attacks in Paris, the U.K. government is redoubling its efforts to engage in mass surveillance. Prime Minister David Cameron wants to reintroduce the so-called snoopers’ charter—properly, the Communications Data Bill—which would compel telecom companies to keep records of all Internet, email, and cellphone activity. He also wants to ban encrypted communications services.

It is statistically impossible for total population surveillance to be an effective tool for catching terrorists. [Conclusion]: Mass surveillance makes the job of the security services more difficult and the rest of us less secure.

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/new_scientist/2015/01/mass_surveillance_against_terrorism_gathering_intelligence_on_all_is_statistically.html

 
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  • (Score: 2) by WizardFusion on Monday January 26 2015, @01:10PM

    by WizardFusion (498) on Monday January 26 2015, @01:10PM (#138159) Journal

    Well then, what america needs now is "A War On Philly Cheese Steak"

    Starting Score:    1  point
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  • (Score: 2) by Thexalon on Monday January 26 2015, @04:19PM

    by Thexalon (636) on Monday January 26 2015, @04:19PM (#138198)

    The problem is that a War on Philly Cheese Steaks doesn't generate exciting television. I mean, who really wants to watch fat people running on treadmills for an hour a day, or doctors saying "eat more fresh fruits and vegetables" or Michelle Obama showing kids how to grow healthy food? By comparison, chasing down the Evil Terrorists all over the globe feels like a real-life version of 24, complete with real explosions!

    --
    The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.

    • (Score: 3, Funny) by WizardFusion on Monday January 26 2015, @04:44PM

      by WizardFusion (498) on Monday January 26 2015, @04:44PM (#138208) Journal

      Can you imagine Jack Bauer taking down a sandwich with some C4 strapped to it. That's exciting TV right there.!

      • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday January 26 2015, @11:28PM

        by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Monday January 26 2015, @11:28PM (#138353) Journal

        Can you imagine Jack Bauer taking down a sandwich with some C4 strapped to it. That's exciting TV right there.!

        And just imagine Mythbusters' take on packs of chips/nachos for the delight of couch potato geeks.

        --
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford