Tech needed to fight terror claims PM

 

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Posted on 19 Jun 2008 at 13:58

Greater use of technology is necessary to battle terror, crime and other threats - but it must be balanced with the right to liberty, according to Gordon Brown.

"It could be said that for too long we have used nineteenth century means to solve twenty first century problems," Brown told the Institute for Public Policy Research. "We must have twenty first century methods to deal with twenty first century challenges."

Wary of the controversy around the collection of biometric, DNA and CCTV data, Brown also noted: "But, as I will also suggest today, just as we need to employ these modern means to protect people from new threats, we must at the same time do more to guarantee our liberties."

The Labour government has frequently been criticised for creating a Big Brother state, with rampant use of CCTV and schemes such as the national ID card and database.

Brown stressed that the government has no plans to make it compulsory for people to carry an ID card, but that it will be required when opening a bank account or registering with a GP.

He also claimed the identity card scheme has been redesigned so that people's names and addresses will be held on a separate database from their biometric data.

A poll in the Daily Telegraph at the end of last year showed that support for the scheme had slipped to 43%.

CCTV justification

With regards to CCTV, Brown praised the technology for halving crime in Newcastle and helping police investigate the London underground bombings in 2005.

"Let us not pretend that CCTV is intrinsically the enemy of liberty. Used correctly, with the right and proper safeguards, CCTV cuts crime, and makes people feel safer - in some cases, it actually helps give them back their liberty, the liberty to go about their everyday lives with reassurance."

Author: Nicole Kobie